DISCOURSE, 



EMBRACING 



THE CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS HISTORY 



RHODE-ISLAND; 



DELIVERED APRII. 4, A. D. 1838, 



CLOSE OF THE SECOND CENTURY FROM THE FIRST 
SETTLEMENT OF THE ISLAND. 



BY ARTHUR A. ROSS, 

Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Newport, R. I. 



PROVIDENCE: 
H. H. BROWN. ...25 MARKET SQUARE. 

183S. 



■K^- 



PRE F A C E. 



jNo people can dwell on the pages of their own history 
with more supreme satisiaction, or derive from that history 
more lasting and salutary instructions, than the people of 
Rhode-Island. To be ignorant of our own history, betrays 
a most criminal apathy to our own intellectual happiness, 
and to the high and elevated principles of the men from 
whom we descended, and by whom were transmitted 
and secured to us, the blessings of civil and religious 
freedom. 

The object of the writer in the following pages, has 
been to embody and present before the risen and rising 
generation, some of the most imporicnt facts and incidents 
of our history, during the past century. Nor could the 
writer feel justified, in a discourse of this nature, without 
alluding to the circumstances and events which led to tlie 
settlement of this State, and especially of our own loved 
Rhode-Island. 

The war of the Revolution, as connected with the his- 
tory o{ this Island, which, for the greater part of that long 
continued and sanguinary conflict, was in possession of the 
enemy, constitutes unavoidably a large proportion of this 
discourse. Nor can the writer persuade himself to believe 
that the reminiscence of those events can be uninteresting 
'O the descendants of those illustrious men, who shared 



iv PREFACE. 

in the perils of the Revolution, and achieved the Ameri- 
can Independence. 

The Ecclesiastical History of Rhode-Island, rich in 
interest to the Philanthropist and Christian, and furnishing 
ample materials for the Historian, has been only glanced 
at, the writer being conscious, in a work like this, of hi> 
utter inability to do justice to that part of our history, and 
has beheved that an abridged history of the Churches on 
this Island, would more deeply interest the reader than 
general observations, and contribute to the glory of the 
riches of Divine grace. If the following pages shall in 
any wise tend to promote these objects, the highest am- 
bition of the Author will be accomplished. 

Kewport, May I, 1838. 



A DISCOURSE 



EZRA IV, 15, 



HAT SEARCH MAY BE MADE IN THE BOOK OF THE RE- 
CORDS OF THY FATHERS. 

Two centuries have now passed away, since the vene- 
rable John Clarke and his little band of persecuted 
brethren, entered this then inhospitable and savage des- 
ert, rejoicing in it as an asylum of rest, from the relent- 
less hand of religious intolerance and persecution. Here 
tliey erected the temple of civil and religious freedom, 
and on her sacred altar, pledged their persons, lives and 
estates, to maintain unimpaired, the inalienable rights of 
man. 

In consequence of the unjust and arbitrary decisions of 
the General Court of Massachusetts, Mr. Clarke and 
several others were appointed by their friends, to select 
a spot where they might inhale the atmos[)here of free- 
dom, and worship God according to the dictates of their 
own conscience, unmolested. After wandering a while 
in the wilderness of New Hampshire, tliev directed their 
1* 



6 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE 

course to the south, intending to find a residence in a 
more congenial climate. On their arrival at Providencej 
they were very kindly received by Roger WilHams, who 
had' previously been banished from the Colony of Mas- 
sachusetts, for his peculiar views of civil and religious 
polity ; and who among other things, (says Mr. Callen- 
der,) was charged with insisting on the most unlimited 
toleration or liberty of conscience. 

Mr. Williams recommended to these wandering exiles, 
the waters of the Narragansett Bay, as the peculiar resi- 
dence of the genius of religious freedom, and advised 
them to take up their abode on her shores. He also 
very kindly offered his services in procuring them a set- 
tlement ; and through his influence with the two great 
Sachems of Narragansett, Canonicus and Myantonomo, 
(whose confidence he enjoyed) a deed of Aquitneck, 
(now Rhode-Island) and other Islands of the Bay, was 
procL«ired in the name of Mr. Coddington and friends, 
in March, 1638. 

These venerable men commenced the settlement ot 
tl)is Island, under the influence of sentiments the most 
pure and elevated, that ever inspired the heart, or digni- 
fied the character of man. They were bound together 
as a community of freemen — not by chartered rights and 
conventional stipulations — but by moral and religious 
principle. By mutual voluntary pledges, given by a 
solemn appeal to the great searcher of hearts, for their 
faithful performance. 

The following is the original Charter of the American 
Isle of Rhodes : — '' We, whose names are underwritten, 
do swear solemnly in the presence of the Great Jehovah, 
to incorporate ourselves into a body politic ; and as he 
-.hall help us, will submit our persons, lives and estates, 
unto the Lord Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord 
of lords, and to all those most perfect laws of his, given 
113 in his most holy v.'ord of truth, to be guided and iudg- 
ed thereby." 

Such \vere the principles adopted, and sucii the senti- 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 7 

ments set forth, as the great charter of rights, by those 
who had the honor of planting the first community of 
civihzed man on Rhode-Island. 

The first settlement on the Island, was commenced at 
its northern extremity, where a town was regularly laid 
out, and at first named Pocasset ; subsequently Ports- 
mouth. But so rapid was the increase of the Colony, 
during the following summer, that it was deemed advisa- 
ble for their mutual prosperity, to commence a settlement 
on some other part of the Island. 

Accordingly, the following spring, Mr. Clarke with 
several others, removed to this part of the Island, and 
commenced a settlement, to which they gave the name 
of Newport. The Island itself, subsequently, by order 
of the General Court, was called the Isle of Rhodes, or 
Rhode-Island, in memory of that celebrated Isle of the 
Mediterranean Sea. The first dwelling-house built in 
this town, was erected by Nicholas Easton — all prior 
dwellings were tents and wigwams. Both towns were 
united under the same simple patriarchal form of govern- 
ment, of which Mr. William Coddlngton was chosen 
Magistrate, or Judge. A few months subsequently, they 
chose Mr. John Coggeshall, Nicholas Easton, and Wil- 
liam Brenton, his assistants. I^Ir. Coggeshall descended 
from an ancient and respectable family in England. He 
came to this country with Mr. Coddlngton, In 1630, and 
was admitted a freeman of the town of Boston, In 163-2. 
He was a member of the first Board of Selectmen of 
Boston, and represented that town in General Court, in 
1634-5-6, and the Spring session of 1637, but was dis- 
franchised for conscience toward God, that same year. — 
His dlsfi-anchisement with others, created great discon- 
tent among his hiends, which led to their removal, and 
finally to the settlement of this Island. 'Mr. Coggeshall 
enjoyed the confidence of the Colony of Rhode-Island, 
nd at the time of his death, which occurred in 1647, he 
'? President of the Colony. He lies in the Coggeshall 



3 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE 

burial place, a little south of Newport. The following 
is the ioscription on his tomb-stone : — 

" Here Iveth the Body of 

JOHN COGGESHALL, Sen. Esq. 

who died the First President of the Colony, the 27th of Nov. 

1647, aged about 56 years." 

His descendants are still numerous on the Island, and 
many of them are among our most respectable citizens. 

Mr. Coddington came to this country with Governor 
Hutchinson, having been appointed in 1629, by the Brit- 
ish government, one of the Assistants of the Massachu- 
setts Colony. He engaged in mercantile business in 
Boston, and built the first brick house in that town. But 
notwithstanding all the facilities he there enjoyed of pro- 
moting his own temporal prosperity, yet he chose to re- 
linquish all thescj for the sake of rehgious freedom. — ■■ 
Accordingly, in 1638, with the beloved Clarke and six- 
teen others, he left the Colony of Massachusetts, and 
commenced the settlement of this Island ; and was by his 
companions in tribulation, unanimously elected Chief 
Magistrate or Judge of the Colony ; which ofhce he held 
until the Island was incorporated w^ith Providence and 
Warwick. In 1651, he was appointed by the Supreme 
Authority of England, Governor of the Island, pursuant 
to a power reserved in the patent, by which the Island 
became again separated from the Providence Plantations. 

But the people, jealous of their rights and fearful that 
their freedom might be endangered, dispatched Mr. Wil- 
liams and Mr. Clarke to England, to get it revoked. On 
receiving due notice from England, Mr. Coddington gave 
up his commission and retired to private life, when the 
Island again become united with the Plantations. Mr. 
Coddington was again elected Governor of the Colony, 
in 1674-1675, ^nd 1678, on which year he died, aged 
78 years. He was a man of extensive learning, and as- 
sisted in framing the body of laws, w^hich has been the 
basis of our constitution and government ever since. — 
Governor Coddinoion was interred in the familv burial- 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 9 

place, which at his death lie gave the Society of Friends, 
(in Farewell-street,) just South of the North Baptist 
meeting-house. The freemen of Newport, in Town 
Meeting, August 30, 1836, appointed a Committee to 
repair the monument at the head of the grave of this dis- 
tinguished friend and advocate of civil and religious free- 
dom. 

The last of the original purchasers and proprietors of 
this Island, was Henry Bull, Esq. who died in 1693, 
a^ed 84 years. He huilt a house at the settlement on 
the North part of the Island, iu 1638, and was one of 
the seven proprietors, who in 1639, commenced the set- 
tlement of this town. " He held various public offices 
in this Colony from its first settlement, until a few years 
before his death. He was Governor of the Colony, in 
1685, after which, being at a very advanced age, he re- 
linquished public employment, to end his days in domes- 
tic peace ; but after the revolution in England, (the Col- 
ony Charter having been vacated, and Rhode-Island put 
under the government of Sir Edmund Andres, who held 
it until the spring of 1689,) he was induced again to come 
fonvard into public life. 

" After Sir Edmund Andros was imprisoned in Boston , 
the freemen of Rhode-Island met in Newport on the 1st 
of May, 1689, and determined to resume their former 
Charter and government, and proceeded to choose their 
officers accordingly ; but of the persons appointed, many 
refused to accept, and among the number, the Governor 
elect, in consequence of the boldness and responsibility 
of the measure, the dangerous and unsettled state of the 
times, the uncertainty what reception their proceedings 
might meet in England, and what personal consequences 
might fall upon those most forward in the undertaking. 

" The government was not fully organized until the Feb- 
ruary following, all which time, none of the principal in- 
habitants could be found of sufficient nerve, to accept the 
gubernatorial chair, but this man, then at a very advan- 
ced ?ige. He was then appointed by the Assembly, ac- 



10 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

cepted the office, and served until the next annual elec-- 
lion, when he was again elected, but positively refused 
to serve any longer, as the danger which had deterred 
otliers, no longer existed, at least to the same extent." 

The house erected by Governor Bull, in Newport, is 
af stone, and still standing on the East side of Spring- 
street, near Broad-street. Governor Bull lies buried in 
the Coddington burial place, where a plain and unosten- 
tatious slab points the passing stranger to the spot, where 
^ieep the mouldering ashes of this bold and fearless pa- 
triot. 

Heni-y Bull, Esq. of Newport, is his lineal descendant, 
ixnd now in possession of the patrimonial estate of his an- 
cestor. 

In 1643, Mr. Williams, as the agent of the Colonies 
of Narragansett Bay, obtained a Charter of incorporation 
from the British Crown, granting them permission to make 
laws for themselves, so far as the nature and constitution 
of the place would admit, subject to the laws of England. 

In 1663, Mr. Clarke, who for several years had betn 
JD England, as agent of the Colonies, procured a Char- 
ter, by which the province was mcorporated a body pol- 
itic, by the name of the Governor and Company of the 
Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations, in New-Eng- 
land, in America. 

This act of incorporation, securing as it does to all, the 
inalienable rights of man, the free and unrestricted exer- 
cise of his own judgment and conscience, on all questions 
v.f religion, the freemen of Rhode-Island have guarded 
with a kind of patriotic enthusiasm, which has rebuked 
with severity, the hand put forth to mar the form of this 
Magna Charta of civil and religious freedom. 

Mr. Williams is justly and deservedly venerated by 
the people of Rhode-Island, as the bold and uncompro- 
mising advocate of religious toleration ; and wrestled hard 
for liberty of conscience for himself and his fellow men. 
But the name of Mr. Clarke, first mentioned in the 
Charter of Rhode-Island, should be cherished in the 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. H 

same grateful remembrance, by every friend of civil and 
religious freedom. He was the companion of Mr. Wil- 
liams in iribulalion for conscience sake, and although bis 
feet were not made fast in the stocks, yet he suffered im- 
})risonment and bonds, and was sentenced to receive forty 
stripes save ten, by the religious conscience-keepers of 
Massachusetts. To both, under God, the people of 
Rhode-Island are greatly indebted, for the blessings they 
now enjoy. 

No legislative jurisdiction in Rhode-Island, has ever 
been exercised or assumed over the creeds or consciences 
of men; but the most free and unlimited exercise of the 
mind on all questions of religion and conscience, has at 
dl times been enjoyed. Rhode-Island has demonstrated 
to the world, that the Church needs not the arm of civil 
power to direct her councils or control her interests ; that 
Jesus Christ is king in his own kingdom ; that she needs 
no other protection or support, than that of Jesus Christ; 
the civil power leaving each and every one to act accord- 
ing to the dictates of their own conscience, and depriving 
none of the rights of freemen, for believing this, or disbe- 
lieving that. So far from legislative interference and re- 
straint, the very first act of legislation decreed that every 
person who submits peaceably to civil government, in 
this Colony, shall worship God according to the dictates 
of his own conscience, unmolested. 

In 1644, it w^as decreed by the General Court, that 
none be accounted a delinquent for doctrine, provided it 
be not repugnant to the government, or the laws estab- 
lished. 

In 1647, it was furtlier ordered and decreed by the 
same body, '• That all men may walk as their own con- 
sciences persuade them, every one in the name of his 
God. And let the sheep and lambs of the Most High 
walk together in this Colony, without molestation, in the 
name of Jehovah their God, forever and ever." And to 
the honor of Rhode-Island and the glory of the Chris- 
tian name, let it be told to our children from generation 



12 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

to generation, that when in 1656, the Colonies of Ply- 
mouth, Massachusetts, Hartford, and New-Haven, at- 
tempted to urge their sanguinary edicts against the Qua- 
kers on the Colony of Rhode-Island, calling on the leg- 
islature for an act of proscription, and enforcing that call 
by threatening to cut off all commercial intercourse with 
them, in case they refuse to comply, they nobly and 
promptly answer — '^ We shall strictly adhere to the foun- 
dation principles on which this Colony was first settled, 
to wit : that every man who submits peaceably to civil 
government in this Colony, shall worship God according 
to the dictates of his own conscience, without molesta- 
tion." 

Doctor McSparran, a missionaiy of the Church of 
England, who visited this country about the year 1720, 
and who labored for several years on the Narragansett 
side of the Bay, in a book of his, published in 1752, has 
recorded some important facts in the history of Rhode- 
Island, whether from love or ill will, I leave the reader 
to judge. 

" The first settlers of Rhode-Island," says the Dr. 
'' peregrinated through the wilderness and fell in with 
Rhode-Island, and removed their families and effects to 
Providence. 

" These Rhode-Island refugees resolved themselves by 
their own, instead of better authority, into a body politic, 
with liberty of conscience allowed to people of all persua- 
sions. In Connecticut, independency is the religion of 
the State. But in Rhode-Island, no religion at all is es- 
tablished. Here, a man may with impunity, be of any 
persuasion, or of none at all. But the Quakers for the 
most part, are the people in power. 

" As Quakerism first broke out in England, in 1651, so 
in 1654, emissaries of that enthusiasm were dispatched to 
the West Indies. And no sooner did their preachers ap- 
pear in Rhode-Island, than they found many too well pre- 
pared to receive this pestilent heresy. The twenty-ibur 
years that had passed away since their removal from 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 13 

England, and the seventeen since their settlement in 
Rhode-Island, had carried oft' the stage most of those 
who had received the first rudiments of religion in their 
mother country. And as Quakerism prevailed, learning 
was decried, and ignorance and heresy so increased, that 
neither Epephanus' nor Sir Richard Blackmore's Cata- 
logu?, contains more heterodox and conflicting opinions 
in religion, than are to be found in this little corner. 

" The magistrates of Massachusetts hanged four of these 
quake-speakers ; this, together with other severities exer- 
cised on their proselytes in that province, contributed to 
send shoals of these sectaries to Rhode-Island. In 1700, 
(says the Dr.) after Quakerism and other heresies had in 
their turn, ruled over and tinged all the inhabitants for 
forty-six years, the Church of England, which had been 
lost here, by the neglect of the Crown, entered as it were 
unobserved and unseen, and yet not without some suc- 
cess. 

" In 1702, a little Church was formed in Newport, the 
metropolis of the Colony, and that in which I labor in 
Narragansett. There have been two incumbents before 
me, neither of w^iich had resolution enough to grapple 
with the difficulties of the mission, more than a year a 
piece. 

'' I entered this field in 1721, and found the people 
not a iasula rasa, or clean sheet of paper, on which I 
might make any impression I pleased ; but a field full of 
briers and thorns and noxious weeds, that were all to be 
eradicated, before I could implant within them the sim- 
plicity of truth. But, by the blessing of God, I have 
brought over some hundreds to the Church. And among 
the hundreds I have baptized, there are at least one hun- 
dred and fifty who receive the sacrament from my hands, 
from 20 years old and upward to 70 or 80, 

'' Besides the members of our Church, (continues the 

Dr.) who 1 may boast are the best of the people — being 

converts not from convenience and civil encouragement, 

but from conscience and conviction — there are Quakers, 

2 



14 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

and Anabaptists of four sorts ; Independents, and a still 
greater number devoid of all religion, and attend no kind 
of worship. In all the other Colonies the law obliges 
men to attend religious worship on the Sabbath, some- 
where. But in Rhode-Island, liberty of conscience is 
carried to an irreligious extreme."* 

It is not my intention, however, to dwell on the histo- 
ry of the State, nor even of this Island, beyond the Hm- 
its of the past century. The beloved Calender, whose 
name is associated with the history of this Church, in 
his celebrated discourse delivered in this place one hun- 
dred years ago, has given us a brief, but faithful history 
of the events which led to the settlement of this Island, 
and its subsequent history for one hundred years. 

The duty assigned me on the present occasion, is a 
continuation of the history of Rhode-Island, commencing 
with the close of the first Century. Nor can it be sup- 
posed, that this can be comprised in a discourse of ordi- 
nary length, nor even of twice the length of Mr. Calen- 
der's. 

And here it is but an act of justice for me to acknow- 
ledge, that for the materials of this discourse, I am chiefly 
indebted to Henry Bull, Esq. of this town, whose efforts 
to collect and preserve the history of Rhode-Island, pos- 
terity alone can fully appreciate, and which entitles him 
to a name among the benefactors of the human race. — 
To Benjamin B. Rowland, Esq. and other gentlemen of 
Newport, I am indebted for many facts and incidents 

■^ it is to be lamented that groat and good men, when speaking or 
writing of those who differ from them only in matters of conscience, 
should not more implicitly regard the Apostle's injunction, ** speak 
evil of no man ;" cultivate that charity which is averse to give of- 
fence, and seek to maintain an amicable intercourse with all man- 
kind. Could the Dr. have lived at a more fortunate age of the 
world, when the great principles of religious toleration and liberty 
of conscience were more perfectly understood, it is believed he must 
have been convinced, that iiis charges against the Quakers, were 
liiimorited and severe 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE 15 

connected with the history of this Island, during the past 
century. 

From March, 1738, at which time Mr. Calender de- 
Hvered his sermon, to 1744, but httle is found in the 
history of Rhode-Island to interest the reader, save the 
local affairs of the Colony. In 1742, the boundary line 
between the Colony of Massachusetts and Rhode-Island, 
was settled at Providence, by commissioners appointed 
by the King, before whom the parties were heard by 
counsel. 

Rhode-Island had previously contended with her liti- 
gious neighbors, only for the gore of land which now con- 
stitutes the town of Cumberland. But at this time, she 
pressed her claim for three miles east of Narragansett 
Bay, as expressed in her Charter from his Majesty King 
Charles II. The Commissioners decided that Rhode- 
Island was not only entitled to the gore, but also to the 
three miles Eastward of the Bay, which now comprises 
the towns of Liitle-Compton, Tiverton, Bristol, Warren, 
and Barrington. 

From this decision, the Colony of Massachusetts ap- 
pealed to the King in Council — which appeal was heard 
and tried in England, and the decision of the Commis- 
sioners confirmed and established by the decree of his 
Majesty, on the 28th of May, 1746. 

On the 4th of March, 1744, the government of France 
which had been secretly aiding the enemies of Great 
Britain, with which she was at war, assumed a belligerent 
attitude, and proclaimed war with that government ; 
which was responded to by the British Parliament the 
same month, in a declaration of war with France. 

Previous to the declaration of war, the Colonies had 
been ap{)rized of the approaching storm, and were aroused 
to a sense of the threatening dangers with which they 
were surrounded. The French privateers which hovered 
round the coast of New-England, greatly embarrassed her 
commerce, and almost entirely destroyed her valuable 
fisheries. 



IQ HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

The Legislature of Massachusetts decided, after much 
discussion, to invite the other Colonies to unite with them 
in an expedition against Louisburgh, the Gibraltar of the 
French American Provinces. Into the spirt of this en- 
terprise, the legislature of Rhode-Island entered with pa- 
triotic ardor, and at the May session of that body, passed 
a resolution to raise a regiment of one hundred and fifty 
men, exclusive of officers ; and that the Colony sloop 
Tartar, be fitted out with a complement of 90 men, ex- 
clusive of officers. 

The expedition was crowned with success, and after a 
siege of forty-nine days, the city of Louisburgh and the 
Island of Cape Breton, were surrendered by the French 
to his Britannic Majesty, June 17th, 1745. 

The capture of Louisburgh by the Colonies, stung the 
Court of France with mortification and revenge, and they 
resolved to chastise them for their insolence. According- 
ly, an expedition was fitted out for this purpose, " con- 
sisting of forty ships of war and fifiy-six transports, with 
tlirsa thousand five hundred men, and forty thousand 
stand of arms, for the French and Indians.'' The Colo- 
nies saw and acknowledged their danger, from their total 
inability to defend themselves in case of an invasion, by 
so numerous and formidable a fleet ; and the inhabitants 
of the seaport towns were thrown into the greatest con- 
sternation. 

No people had more to fear from foreign invasion in 
New-England, than the people of Newport. From the 
extent of her commercial interests, their local situation, 
and the facility with which the town might be approached 
with the largest ships of war, the inhabitants were thrown 
into the greatest agitation and distress. Nor were these 
apprehensions allayed, until in October, it was ascertained 
that God had interposed for tlie Colonies, and gotten the 
victory with his own arm. 

So disastrous was this expedition to the French, that 
among all this mighty and formidable fleet, destined to 
lay in ruins the smiling villages of New-England, not 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 17 

more than two or three ships and a few transports, ever 
reached her coast. A violent storm at sea either de- 
stroyed or damaged many of them. Others were com- 
pelled to return on account of a most fearful pestilence 
which swept off hundreds of their crews, and made (he 
bravest hearts to tremble. 

The Admiral or Commander in Chief of the whole 
French squadron, on reaching the coast of New-England, 
died of mortification ; or as some say, of poison. The 
Vice-Admiral came Lo a similar tragical end, by running 
himself through the body with his own sword. That part 
of the fleet which arrived on the coast, sailed with an in- 
tention of making an attack upon Annapolis, but a storm 
again scattered them, and they were forced to return, 
without effecting any part of the work of destruction 
oriirinally intended. 

Thus were the Colonies preserved, not by the policy 
of their councils, nor the prowess of their arms — but by 
the Providence of God. Preliminaries of peace were 
soon entered into between France and England, and a 
definitive treaty was signed in October, 1748. 

The privateers of Rhode-Island distinguished them- 
selves in this war, and during the year 1745, more than 
twenty prizes, some of them of immense value, were sent 
into Newport. One of the most bold and intrepid naval 
commanders of that age, or perhaps of any age, was 
Captain John Dennis, of Newport. He seems to have 
been formed for deeds of daring, and nerved to dwell 
amidst the sanguinary, strife of war unmoved. After hav- 
ing captured a number of French privateers in the We^t 
Indies, a sloop of war was fitted out at iVIartinico, for the 
express purpose of liis capture. But after an engagement 
of four hours, she was taken possession of by Captain 
Dennis and carried into St. Kitts. Here he received 
that attention which he had so justly merited from the 
Governor and other officers of the Island, and who, as a 
testimony of respect for his valuable services, presented 
him with a golden oar and a purse of five hundred pistoles. 
2* 



Ig HISTORICAL DISCOtJRSE 

The employments and pursuits of the inhabitants of| 
this Island, during the war, were almost exclusively of ai 
naval or military character ; and, perhaps, at no period had 
enjoyed greater commercial prosperity. So that as far 
as Newport was concerned, the return of peace was rather 
hostile to her interests than otlierwise. 

At the close of the war, a vast amount of property 
was owned by the people of this town ; which, however 
valuable in time of war, was of but little value in time 
of peace. Their implements of war could not readily be 
converted into instruments of husbandry, nor articles of 
merchandize, without great sacrifice to the owners. The 
depreciation also, of bills of credit, issued during the 
war, which the Colonies v/ere unable to redeem, was 
severely felt by the community, and greatly embarrassed; 
the commercial interests of the Colony. 

The return of peace, however, was hailed as the har- 
binger of prosperity. And although the return of pros- 
perity was the work of time, yet the enterprising spirit 
of the people soon exerted itself to repair the losses 
which had been sustained. Commerce again flourished, 
industry and enterprise were encouraged, and public con- 
fidence revived. 

But scarcely had the Colonies time to reap the benefits 
of peace, before their brightening prospects were again 
overshadowed by the dark elements of strife, and the 
tocsin of war again spread anxiety and distress through 
the whole breadth of the land. 

After a period of only eight years, in IMay, 1758, 
Great Britain under George II. formally declared war 
with France ; which declaration was reciprocated by 
France the following month. The causes which led to 
this war, commonly distinguished by the name of the 
'•' French and Indian War," were the alleged encroach- 
ments of the French, on the English settlements in 
America. 

This war terminated in 1763, by the cession of Nova 
Scotia, Canada, the Isle of Cape Breton, and all other 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 19 

Islands of the Gulf and Rivor St. Lawrence, to the 
British Crown. In all the splendid achievements of the 
British arms during these long protracted and sanguinary 
conflicts, the people of New-England bore a very distin- 
guished and conspicuous part. And no town, perhaps, 
of equal size in New-England, contributed more to the 
glory of the British Crown, than Newport. 

The year 1758, is also rendered memorable in the 
history of Rhode-Island, as opening the great political 
drama of Messrs. Stephen Hopkins and Samuel Ward. — 
Mr. Hopkins at the time, filled the chair of the Chief 
Magistrate, and Mr. Ward entered the field to contend 
with him for that honor. Mr. Ward was the favorite 
candidate of the South, and received the almost undivided 
support of the mercantile interest; while Mr. Hopkins 
was as warmly supported by the yeomanry of the North, 
and was again re-elected the three succeeding years. — 
In 176*2, Sir. Ward was elected, but was defeated the 
following year and Mr. Hopkins elected, The strife of 
political party raged with increasing violence, until such 
was the heart-burning hostility of the belligerent parties, 
as very greatly to impair the enjoyment of domestic tran- 
quility, and Interrupt the hospitalities of social life. 

In 1763, the oflice of Deputy Governor was vacated 
by the death of the Hon. John Gardiner, who then filled 
that place. On the meeting of the General Assembly, 
Mr. Hopkins and h'iends proposed that Mr. Ward be in- 
vited to fill that office, and that he be elected by the 
Assembly, then in session. Accordingly, a committee 
waited on Mr. Ward with this proposition, which was in- 
dii^nantly rejected, and a message returned, embracing 
the only conditions of peace, viz: that both rival candi- 
dates at the ensuing election, relinquish their pretensions 
and retire from the field. 

Another proposition was then submitted by the House 
of Assistants to Mr. Ward, to induce him to accept that 
office; that five, or one half of that body, would cheer- 
fully resign their seats in favor of an equal number of his 



§0 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE^. 

friends, and the division of the spoils, or the appointment 
of the civil offices, should be equalized between the par- 
ties, at the approaching election. This proposition was 
too humiliating for the Spartan spirit of Mr. Ward, and 
consequently was as unpropitious as the former ; and he 
returned for answer, " that no peace could be expected 
while Mr. Hopkins was in the chair." But repeated his 
willingness to relinquish his pretensions, on condition that 
Mr. Hopkins would do the same. Other overtures were 
made to Mr. Ward, but without success, and both parties 
prepared to enter the field w^ith fixed and settled resolu- 
tion. 

The friends of JMr„ Hopkins triumphed, and he w^as 
again elected ; but the following spring he sufiered a de- 
feat, and Mr. Ward and friends were crowned with lau- 
rels of political glory, which they were permitted to wear 
the two succeeding years. At the opening of the spring 
campaign in 1767, Mr. Hopkins' party having been re- 
cruited and drilled for the conflict, entered the field with 
a fixed and settled resolution to oust the incumbents, and 
achieved a most splendid victory, leaving Mr. Ward 
minus, four hundred and fourteen. This was the last 
pitched battle between the belligerent parties. 

At the October session of the General Assembly, over- 
tures of peace were again made by Governor Hopkins, to 
Mr. Ward, which were soon followed by a cessation of 
hostilities, and finally resulted in a reconciliation of the 
parties. This proposition, highly honorable to Mr. Hop- 
kins, was as follows, viz : that Mr. Ward and friends 
should nominate a Governor from those in the interest of 
Mr. Hopkins, and these should nominate a Deputy Gov- 
ernor from among the friends of Mr. Ward, and so on, 
alternately with the whole council : or, if Mr. Ward and 
friends decline the first nomination, his Honor and those 
associated with him, will nominate a Governor from 
among the friends of Mr. Ward, and soon as before.— 
Preliminaries were soon entered into by the parties at 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 21 

Providence, and a treaty of peace was finally concluded 
at Newport, March 29ili, 1768. 

These gentlemen were again soon called ftom the 
peaceful quiet of domestic retirement, to enter the field, 
not of political strife as foes, but to contend for the rights 
of the Colonies against the encroachments of British 
power, as friends ; to engage in the cause of American 
Freedom, where one soul animated each heart. They 
were among the first who fearlessly stood forth in defence 
of the rights of their country. That they fully enjoyed 
the confidence of their fellow-citizens, both as patriots and 
statesmen, is demonstrated in their choice to represent 
them in the first Continental Congress. 

Mr. Hopkins' name stands inscribed on the proudest 
monument of fame — the Declaration of American Inde- 
pendence. And although, through the infirmities of age 
and long continued duties of public life, his hand trem- 
bled, his heart, never. Mr. Ward died the same year. 

One of the most illustrious events in the history of this 
nation, and of the world, and which very deeply involved 
the interests of Rhode-Island, Is the American Revolu- 
tion. The first settlers of this country never cherished 
an hitention, or even a desire to establish a government 
independent of the mother country. They settled here 
as her Colonies. And during all the sanguinary scenes 
of war, in which England had been engaged with other 
nations, they had faithfully demonstrated their loyalty to 
the British Crown. 

Nor is it probable that this affectionate and loyal dis- 
position on the part of the Colonies, could have been 
alienated, but for the long continued aggressions of the 
British ministry on their rights, touching the subject of 
revenue and taxation. The first act of the British Par- 
liament to tax the Colonies, passed that body in Septem- 
ber, 1764; the avowed object ol which was to raise a 
revenue for the better protection of his Majesty's Colo- 
nies in New-England, by a duty paid the British Crown,, 
on certain articles of commerce, sold in the Colonies, 



22 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

This act was doubtless put forth as a feeler by the 
British Parliament, to prepare the way for the develop- 
ment of the settled policy of that Government toward the 
Colonies. Accordingly, the next spring, the famous, or 
rather infamous stamp-act, passed both Houses of Parlia- 
ment. This act decreed that all deeds, notes, bonds, &c. 
in the Colqnies, should be null and void unless executed 
on stamp paper, for which a duty must be paid the 
Crown. The former act the Colonies did not, could 
not approve, because it assumed the right to tax them 
without their consent, not being represented in that body. 
But such was still their loyalty and affection for the home 
of their fathers, that they could, and did submit to it, 
however oppressive and unjust. 

But no sooner did a knowledge of the passage of the 
stamp-act reach the Colonies, than one spontaneous burst 
of indignation broke forth throughout the country. Re- 
monstrances and resolutions were passed by most of the 
Colonial Assemblies, condemning the act in the most un- 
qualified manner, as both unconstitutional and unjust.-— 
So general was the dissatisfaction, so powerful the spirit 
of freedom in the infant Colonies, that these encroach- 
ments of British power were resisted with patriotic indig- 
nation ; and in niany places, paper bearing his Majesty's 
seal, was not permitted to land. 

Associations were formed and resolutions were passed, 
into the spirit of which, the female sex entered with pa- 
t;iotic ardor, not to import or use goods imported from 
Great Britain, until this obnoxious and oppressiv^e act 
be repealed. So universal and determined were the 
Colonies in their opposition to this act, that Parliament 
had no alternative but its repeal. This, however, was 
followed by another act, which struck at the last hope of 
freedom, and assumed the right and power, " In all cases 
whatsoever, to bind the Colonies." Accordingly, a new 
tax was laid on glass, paper, tea, &c. &c. This, to- 
gether with other acts equally arbitrary and oppressive, 
kindkd up anew the spirit of opposition to the British 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 23 

ministry, which had measurably subsided on the repeal 
of the stamp-act. 

On the meeting of Parliament in February 1769, both 
Houses of that body, in an address to the King, recom- 
mended that the lioyal Governor of Massachusetts be 
directed to notice all such as manifested a spirit of dis- 
loyalty to his Majesty's edicts, that they might be sent to 
England and tried as traitors. 

This outrage on the common principles of justice and 
humanity, alienated the affections of the Colonies from 
the mother country, and kindled up the spirit of patriot- 
ism, the fire of freedom on the American heart, until in 
Congress assem.bled, they solemnly declare to the world, 
appealing to the searcher of hearts for the purity of their 
motives, " that they are, and of right ought to be free 
and independent." Pledging thcii- lives, tlieir fortunes, 
and sacred honor, to be free, or die. And through all 
the gloomy scenes and sanguinary conflicts of the Revo- 
lution, Rhode-Island was conspicuous in the achieve- 
ment of that glorious event. 

The first act of popular resistance in the great drama, 
which separated the Colonies from Great Britain, and 
iinally resulted in the American Independence, although 
claimed by and awarded to others, was made at Newport, 
in 1769, in the destruction of his Britannic Majesty's 
armed sloop Liberty. 

This sloop was fitted out by the King's officers at Bos- 
ton, to enforce the revenue laws on the inhabitants of this 
Colony ; and were directed to examine and detain all 
vessels suspected of evading or violating those laws. — 
Two vessels, a sloop and a brig, belonging to Connecti- 
cut, had been seized and brought into Ne\vj)ort. A few 
days subsequently, the Captain of the brig went on board 
his vessel, when on inquiry for his wearing apparel, he 
was informed they had been removed on board his Majes- 
ty's sloop Liberty. Missing also his sword, he made in- 
quiry for that, when he was told that a man belonging to 
the Ijiberty, was lying on it in the cabin. As he descen- 



24 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

ded the cabin, he was met with a volley of savage and 
cowardly oaths. He seized his sword, which the men of 
the Liberty in vain attempted to wrest from his hands, 
sprang into his boat with two of his men, and made for 
the shore. On which the officer of the Liberty ordered 
his men to fire on the Captain of the brig, and a musket 
and brace of pistols were fired at the boat. 

This unprovoked attack upon the life of Captain Pack- 
wood, so enraged the populace of Newport, that ihe fol- 
lowing evening, a large number of citizens met Captain 
Reid of the sloop Liberty, on the Long-wharf, and de- 
manded that the man should be sent for on shore, who 
fired on Captain Packwood. Accordingly, a man was 
sent for, but they asserted he was not the man. Another 
was sent for, but he was not the man ; and another and 
another, until ail the men on board, except the mate, 
were on shore. A number then went on board the Liber- 
ty, cut away her cables, when she drifted over to a wharf 
on the point, where she grounded. Here they cut away 
her masts, and threw overboard all her armament and 
stores of war, scuttled her and left her to the mercy of 
the elements.* 

The fate of his Majesty's sloop Liberty may be learn- 
ed from the Newport Mercury, July 31st, of that year. 
'' Last Saturday, the sloop Liberty was floated by a high 
tide, and drifted over to Goat Island, and is grounded at 
the North end, near the place where the pirates were 
buried. What this prognosticates, we leave to the de- 
termination of astrologers." 

August 7th, the same paper observes — " Last Monday 
evening, just after the storm of rain, hail, and lightning, 
the sloop Liberty, w^hich we mentioned in our last, as 

* Her boats were dragged by the insulted and enthusiastic multi- 
tude, up the Long-wharf, thenco up the Parade, through Broad- 
street, at the head of which, on the Common, they were burned. — 
Tradition says, tliat, owing tn the keel of the boats being shod with 
iron, such was the velocity of their locomotion, as they passed up 
the Parade, that a stream of fire was left in the rear, of several feet 
in length. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. ^5 

having drifted to Goat Island, near where the pirates 
were buried, was discovered to be on fire, and continued 
burning for several days, until almost entirely consumed." 

This was the first act of popular violence to the British 
power, and the first blow struck in the American Revo- 
lution. The Gaspee was destroyed three years after, and 
the people of Bostcn made their great dish of tea for 
the fishes, in 1773. 

In consequence of the associations and resolutions of 
the Colonies to suspend the importation and use of tea, 
a vast quantity of nearly twenty million pounds, accum- 
ulated on the hands of the East-India Company ; when 
Parliament granted them permission to export the same 
to any part of the world, free from duty. Confident that 
under these circumstances they should find a ready mar- 
ket in America, they shipped large quantities to the Col- 
onies. But it was too late. The resolution of the 
Americans was fixed, and the market for tea was closed. 
That destined for Boston, was consigned to the friends 
and relatives of the Royal Governor. But the populace 
were so enraged, that instead of its being landed on the 
wharf, it was thrown into the sea. 

On the first intelligence of this in England, the Boston 
port bill was passed by the British Parliament, by which 
its commerce was entirely destroyed, and many of its in- 
habitants reduced to the greatest distress. Expressions 
of sympathy, and resolutions of united resistance to these 
arbitrary and cruel measures of the British throne, were 
forwarded from every part of the country to the suffering 
inhabitants of Boston. 

The people of Newport, in tov/n-meeting Jan. 12, 
1774, passed the following resolutions : '•' Whereas the 
East-India Company, notwithstanding the resolutions of 
the Colonies not to import tea while it remains subject to 
a duty in America, have attempted to force large quanti- 
ties thereof into som.e of our sister Colonies without their 
consent, in order to be sold in this country ; and whereas 
3 



526 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. | 

i 
they may attempt to introduce it into this Colony, we the 

inhabitants of Newport, legally convened in town-meet-- 
ing, do firmly resolve : 

" 1. That the disposal of their own property is the inhe-^ 
rent right of freemen: that there can be no property in that! 
which another can of right take from them without their i 
consent: that the claim of Parliament to tax America, is 
a claim of right to levy contributions upon us at their 
pleasure. 

" 2. That the duty imposed by Parliament on tea, is 
taxing the Americans, or levying contributions on them 
without their consent. 

" 3. That a virtuous and inflexible opposition to the 
ministerial plan of governing America, is absolutely nec- 
essary to preserve even the shadow of liberty, and is a 
duty which every freeman in America owes to his coun- 
try, to himself and to his posterity. 

" 4. That the resolution lately entered into by the East- 
India Company to send out their tea to America, subject 
to the payment of a duty on being landed here, is an open 
attempt to force the ministerial plan, and a violent attack;! 
upon the liberties of the Americans. I 

*' 5. That ifis the duty of every American to oppose 
this attempt. That whoever shall directly or indirectly 
countenance this attempt, or in any wise aid or abet in 
unloading, receiving or vending the tea sent out by the 
East-India Company, or by any other person, while it re-^ 
mains subject to the payment of a duty in America, is an 
enemy to his country." 

This meeting appointed a committee of vigilance, whose 
duty it was, on the first information or even suspicion of 
any tea being imported into this town, immediately to 
wait on the master of the vessel who shall bring the same, 
or the merchant to whom it shall belong, requesting that 
it shall not be landed ; and immediately call a town- 
meeting, to consider and take measures, such as the case 
may require. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 21 

At a subsequent town-meeting they passed the follow- 
ing expression of sympathy for the suffering inhabitants 
of Boston : " Resolved, that we have the deepest sense 
of the injuries done the town of Boston, by tlie act of Par- 
liament lately passed, for putting an end to their trade 
and destroying their port : And that we consider this at- 
tack upon them, as utterly subversive of American liber- 
ty ; for the same power may at pleasure destroy the trade 
and shut up the ports of every other Colony, so that there 
will be a total end of all property. 

*' Resolved, that we will heartily unite with the other 
Colonies in all reasonable and proper measures lo procure 
the establishment of the rights of the Colonies ; and par- 
ticularly in case the other Colonies shall, upon this most 
alarming occasion, put a stop to their trade with Great 
Britain and the West Indies, we will heartily join with 
them, in the measure. 

An exciting and animated paper was circulated in New- 
port, with this motto, " Join or die." The state of Bos- 
ton was represented as a regular siege, and this a direct 
and hostile invasion of all the Colonies. " The Generals 

of xlcjpotiam (it says) are now drawing the lines of cir- 
cumvallation around our bulwarks of liberty, and nothing 
but unity, resolution and perseverance can save ourselves 
and posterity from what is worse than death — slavery." 

The second act of popular violence to the British 
Crown was in the destruction of the Gaspee, in June, 
1772. Lieut. Duddington, her commander, for several 
months had assumed an attitude calculated to cultivate 
any but tlie feelings of reverence and respect. He con- 
stantly boarded, searched, and otherwise greatly annoyed 
the vessels which passed up and down the river, treating 
their commanders with indignity and contempt. A pack- 
et passing up the river to Providence, w^as hailed by 
Lieut. Duddington, and ordered to take down her colors, 
as a tribute of respect to the flag of his Sacred Majesty 
King George. Her commander had too much of the spi- 
rit of a patriot, to bow in obsequious homage, and passed 



^8 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

on without paying the tribute demanded. On this, the 
Gaspee fired upon the sloop, and gave chasa ; but by the 
successful manoeuvering of the American commander, the 
Gaspee was run aground a few miles below Providence, 
while the sloop proceeded gallantly on her way into har- 
bor. That same evening, at the suggestion of Mr. John 
Brown, of Providence, Capt. (afterwards Com.) Whipple, 
and a few brave spirits with him, boarded and carried her, 
setting the Lieutenant and his crew on shore, and the 
Gaspee on fire.* 

We have now arrived at a period in the history of 
Rhode-Island, and especially of Kev/port, on which mem- 
ory delights to dwell. Previous to the commencement 
of the American Revolution, the prosperity of Newport 
had been unequalled in the history of the new world. — 
Her streets were thronged with the intelligent and en- 
terprising of distant lands, and the canvass of differ- 
ent nations whitened her capacious and delightful har- 
bor. 

The local situation of the town and the surpassing 
scenery of the Island, induced many strangers of wealth 
and distinction, to make it the place of their temporary 
abode. Dr. Benjamin Yv^aterhouse, himself a native of 
Newport, in a piece published in the Boston Intelligencer 
in 1824, entitled, '^Medical Literature of Rhode-Island, 
with a sketch of some of her most eminent nien," says, 
" The Island of Rhode-Island, from its salubrity and sur- 
passing beauty before the Revolutionary war so sadly 
defaced it, was the chosen resort of the rich and piiiloso- 
phic, from nearly all parts of the civilized world. In no 
spot of the thirteen or rather twelve Colonies, was there 
concentrated more individual opulence, learning and 
liberal leisure." 

This was truly so in a most eminent degree. For, 
before our Eden Vv-as so defaced by the ruthless hand of 
an invading foe, we find the town of Newport taking pre- 

*Col. Ephraim Bovven,n()W in Ins 86ih year, is the only survivor 
of the party who destroyed the Gaspee. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 09 

cedence in colonial importance next to Boston, to whom 
only she yielded the palm of commercial consequence : 
which rank she continued to hold, until those convulsions 
which preceded the Revolution, commenced. As late as 
1769, although New- York then surpassed her in local 
trade, yet Newport outrivalled her in foreign and domes- 
tic navigation. The inhabitants of New-Haven, New- 
London, he, depended entirely on Newport for a market 
to supply themselves with foreign goods, and here they 
found a ready market for the produce of their own State. 
Her merchants were among the most enterprising and 
wealthy, and one of them, Mr. Aaron Lopez, is said to 
have employed more than thirty sail of vessels of differ- 
ent descriptions, at one time. Mr. Lopez was the first, 
or among the first, to push the whaling business as far as 
the Falkland Islands. The navigation of Newport in- 
cluded a regular line of London packets, which, together 
with all others engaged in foreign trade, amounted to 
nearly two hundred vessels, and the coasting trade to 
more than three hundred and fifty. The population of 
Newport at this time is said to have been eleven thou- 
sand, a great portion of which was literary and refined, 
and savored of the elegance, opulence and aristocratic 
feelings of Old England. Many of the inhabitants were 
from the first families of England, and Newport was re- 
garded not only for her commercial consequence, but as 
the emporium of fashion, refinement and taste. This 
aristocratic trait of character has continued among her in- 
habitants almost to the present day. But the change of 
our population, and the death, dispersion and poverty of 
those families, has now reduced society more conformable 
to the general republican manners of the country, and has 
levelled those arbitrary distinctions which once so gener- 
ally prevailed. Among the former inhabitants of New- 
port were found about three hundred of the dispersed 
house of Israel, who contributed much to the wealth and 
commercial prosperity of the town. Some of them were 
among the most respectable and enterprising merchants 
3* 



30 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

of the place. The war, however, scattered them, and at 
the return of peace, very few of this class of her citizens- 
were to he found in Newport; and of these few families, 
not a solitary individual now remains. And for several 
years before their final exit, all that were left of these 
descendants of Abraham, were two bachelor brothers, 
of the Lopez family, one of whom died about ten years 
ago ; soon after which, the survivor removed to New-York. 

The synagogue, built about the year 1762, which was 
once thronged with worshipers, is now never used, ex- 
cept occasionally lor the solemnities of the funeral ser- 
vice of some of their descendants, who may have 
directed that their remains be brought to this town for 
interment, in the burial place of their fathers. 

The burial place, the synagogue, and the street on 
which they fiont, are now kept in repair by the in- 
terest of a bequest to the Legislature of the State and 
the municipal authority of Newport, by the late Abra- 
ham Touro,* a native of this town, but who had mostly 
resided in Boston. He was son of Isaac Touro, late 
priest of the Jewish congregation in this place. — 
After the street was repaired from this fund, the free- 
men changed its name from Griffin to Touro-street. 

*" Abraham Touro, the founder of Uiis fund, was a native of New- 
port, and son of the Rev. Isaac Touro, the Minister of the Hebrew 
congregation in this place. He settled in Boston, in the occupation 
of an insurance broker, and by his industry and intecrity, acquired 
a large property. The Hebrew Society in "Newport, Yor which Mr. 
Touro felt a deep interest, having become by deaths and removals, 
extinct, in ]820, he visited Newport, and caused to be erected, a 
permanent brick wall, to enclose the Jewish burial ground. At the 
time of his death, he had it in contemplation to remove to Newport, 
with a view to the superintendence and preservation of the Syna- 
gogue and burial ground. * 

His death was occasioned by an accident, while viewing a military 
parade at Boston, on the 3d of October, 1822, in a chaise. His horse 
being frightened by the firing of the artillery, became unmanagable, 
and Mr. T., in leaping from the carriage, fractured his leg so severe- 
ly, that notwithstanding the best surgical aid, a mortification ensu- 
ed, which terminated his mortal existence, on Friday the 18th of 
October, at the age of 48 years. His remains, pursuant to his last 
request, were brought to Newport and respectfully interred in the- 
Jewish cemetery." 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 21 

Her literary and professional men of those limes, 
were among the first in America. The names of Hun- 
ter, Halliburton, Brett, MofFai, &;c. rank high among 
the most eminent physicians of that, or any other age. 
Dr. Waterhouse says, " About the year 1756, Dr. 
William Hunter gave at Newport, R. L the first ana- 
tomical and surgical lectures ever delivered in the twelve 
Colonies. They were delivered in the Court House, 
two seasons in succession, by cards of invitation, and 
to great satisfaction. His collection of instruments was 
much larger than any professor exhibits at this day. 
Dr. Hunter was a man of talents, well educated at Edin- 
burgh, and a gentleman of taste in the fine arts." He 
further says, alluding to Doctors Hunter and Hallibur- 
ton, "We doubt whether Boston, New- York or Phila- 
delphia ever had, at one and the same time, two prac- 
titioners of physic and surgery better educated and 
more skilful tiian these two gentlemen." 

To them succeeded Dr. Isaac Senter, whose char- 
acter is too well known for me to dwell upon, since 
he is quoted with approbation in Europe. The Dr. 
asserts, that " Metalurgical Chemistry was perhaps as 
well known, if not better, at that period, in Rhode- 
island, as in any city in the English Colonies." He 
also says, " At that time there were more and complete 
chemical laboratories in Rhode-island, than were to be 
found in Massachusetts prior to fifteen years ago." 

Among the Divines of that day, who were distin- 
guished for their learning and piety, was the Rev. John 
Calender, particular mention of whom is made in that 
part of this discourse which glances at the history of 
the First I3aptist Church. 

The Rev. Dr. Stiles, who was for a number of 
years I^astor of the First Congregational Church in 
Newport, and who was afterwards President of Yale 
College, was well known as a man of great literary 
attainments. 

The Rev. Arthur Brown was born and received his 



32 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE 

school education in Newport. He was afterwards Pre- 
sident of Trinity College, in Dublin, and a naan of 
celebrity as a scholar and a gentleman. 

Many of you have still in recollection the late Dr. 
Samuel Hopkins, formerly Pastor of the First Congre- 
gational Church in this town. He was a man who 
shone conspicuously as a Christian, generous and liber- 
al in his feelings, respectable as a metaphysician, and 
distinguished as the originator of a doctrine bearing his 
name. 

Dr. Waterhouse says — " Newport was never wanting 
in good classical schools. The Episcopal Church and 
the Quakers, who were very numerous, took particular, 
care of education, especially the first. Newport was the 
only place in New-England, where the Hebrew language 
was publicly read and chanted by more than three hun- 
dred of the descendants of Abraham." 

In 1730, a number of gentlemen in Newport formed 
themselves into a society for the promotion of science and 
general literature, and met weekly for the discussion of 
questions connected with the interests, and designed to 
facilitate the prosperity of the society. This society 
continued until 1747, when it was enlarged, and the pre- 
sent Redwood Library Company was formed, who were 
incorporated in August, of that year. One of their 
members, Mr. Abraham Redwood, who was a member 
of the Society of Friends, gave them £500, which was 
laid out in London, in well selected and valuable books. 

Mr. Henry Collins presented the Company with the 
valuable lot of land on which the present building was 
erected in 1748. During the war, the British plundered 
it of many of its valuable books, and carried them away. 
For several years after the war, the Company w^as in a 
languishing state, and through inattention, many of the 
remaining volumes were taken out without any regular- 
ity of delivery, and many of these were never returned. 

In 1810, the Company was again revived, and the 
laws and regulations of the institution revised. In 1816, 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 33^ 

there were about 1500 volumes in the library — since 
that time, considerable additions have been made, and it 
is now in a flourishing condition. It Jias lately received 
a valuable donation of books from the King of England, 
consisting of eighty-four volumes, of which seventy -two 
are large folios, and twelve octavos, "which is said to be 
the largest collection ever sent to this country." The 
entire set has been nearly thirty-five years in the course 
of publication, and for the great demand for the different 
works of which it is composed, many of them have be- 
come exceedingly scarce, and some of them are now out 
of print. 

The re-printing of these valuable documents of histo- 
ry, law, and government, was occasioned by an address 
of the British House of Commons, to George III. in 
1800 — requesting his Majesty to give directions for the 
better preservation, arrangement, and more convenient 
use of the public records of the kingdom. They consist 
of Dooms-day book. Statutes of the Realm, Farliam.en- 
tary acts of both England. Scotland, k.c. k.c. 

Rhode-Island was formerly graced with many fine, 
country seats, and that of tije "late Godfrry Mulbune, 
near the head of the town, which was destroyed by fire 
in 1766, was joerhaps superior to any in America, for 
elegance, both in the architecture of the mansion house, 
and the fine taste displayed in its once magnificent gar- 
den — the ruins of which, to this day, give us some idea 
of its former splendor. 

It is remarked by Dr. Waterhouse, that in architectural 
taste and costly structure, Newport stood pre-eminent. — 
He says — " Where is there a structure now in New- 
England, that surpasses the Redwood Library ? We 
have only to lament its perishable material. If you say 
that it was copied from an Athenian temple, still tliere is 
some credit due to them in selecting seventy years ago, 
and relishing so chaste a specimen of Grecian taste." 

The beautiful scenery, the delightful atmosphere, and 
the charms of literature and refinement, induced the cele- 



34 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

brated Dean Berkley, afterward Bishop of Cloyne, to 
make this, in 1728, his residence for several years. — 
With a number of literary gentlemen, this learned pre- 
late crossed the Atlantic, with a view of establishing a 
college in Bermuda. But, perhaps, not readily finding 
that speck in the ocean, they found their way into our 
harbor. 

It was l:iere that distinguished and celebrated Divine- 
is said to have written his " Minute Philosopher," which' 
will stand as an imperishable monument from age to age,- 
of the intelligence, refinement, and piety of its author. — 
He purchased a farm not far from Newport, where he 
erected an elegant mansion, called White Hall, and 
which on his departure from this country, he presented 
with a library of nearly a thousand volumes, to Yale 
College. 

Other literary institutions of New-England, have en- 
rolled his name among their most munificent and liberal 
benefactors. It is said that the cup used in the commun- 
ion service, by the Church in East Greenwich, belonged 
to Dean Berkley. He presented to Trinity Church, in 
Kewporr, an elegant aud fine tonea organ, which stni re- 
mains in that edifice. 

His exit from the toils of earth to the rewards of grace, 
was on Sabbath evening, January 14th, 1753, while en- 
gaged in family devotion, in the 69th year of his age.— > 
^' The memory of the just is blessed," 

The beautiful and enchanting scenery of the Island is 
a reason, perhaps, why so many of her sons in their 
youthful days, indulge in poetry and painting. Newport 
has been fertile in producing artists, some of v/hom stand 
in the foremost rank of their profession. The late 
Gilbert Stuart w^as a native of Rhode-Island, and is by 
the united voice of the civilized world, pronounced to 
have been the greatest painter of the human head, that 
the age in which he lived, produced — and, perhaps, of 
any other age. 

The form and features of the father of our countr)^. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 35 

the immortal Washington, from his pencil, will be trans- 
mitted to posterity, not only with truth and accuracy, 
but in a style of execution woithy of the swbject — and 
that too, by a son of our own favored Isle — who, as an 
artist, whether foreign or native, was alone worthy of 
the honor. 

Edward Malbone, another of her sons, has left an im- 
perishable fame, as a miniature painter. It is said that 
when Mr. Malbone, who went ta Europe for the purpose 
of improvement in his profession, w^as introduced to Mr. 
West, and produced specimens of his work, after exam- 
ining them, that distinguished and celebrated artist in- 
quired for what purpose he had come to England ? — 
Mr. INIalbone answered, to perfect himself in the art of 
painting. Mr. West replied. Sir, you can go home 
again, for a man who can paint such a picture as this, 
need not come to England for instruction. 

Washington Allston received his first instructions as a 
painter, from Mr. Samuel King, late of Newport ; and 
his propensity for painting, was probably cultivated by 
his residence during his boyish days, amidst the scenery 
of Newport, whence he had come from South Carolina, 
to attend the classical school in this place, kept by the 
late Robert Rogers. Charles B. King, now resident in 
Washington City, where, as a painter, he is much pat- 
ronized, is also a native of Newport. And many of the 
youth of our Island, who have not engaged in this em- 
ployment as a profession, in their early days have sketch- 
ed and drawn and painted, until immersed in the cares 
and business of life, they have dropped the i)encil, but 
still retain the taste. 

William Claggett, a celebrated artist, althougli not a 
native, but an adopted son of Newport, where he spent 
more than twenty years of his life, deserves a place in 
the history of Rhode-Island. He came to this country 
from Wales, when about twelve years of age. He served 
his time as an apprentice at the clock-making business in 
Boston, where he remained until 1727, when he rennov- 



36 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

ed to Newport and commenced the business of his pro^ 
fession in this town. Many of his clocks are still re- 
maining in the ancient dwellings of Newport. 

Mr. Claggett is justly distinguished for his early andl 
successful experiments on electricity. He constructed! 
an electrical machine of such dimensions, as to occupy 
the principal part of one of the rooms of his house. At 
the request of several gentlemen of Boston, he carried 
his machine to that place, and such was the satisfaction 
of the people of that town with his experiments, (all of 
which were made for the benefit of the afflicted) that 
he received about £1500 in three weeks. He was inti- 
mately acquainted with the celebrated Dr. Benjamin 
Franklin, and it is said that when the Dr. visited New- 
port some time previous to Mr. Claggett's death, although 
he had made some electrical experiments by tlie friction 
of glass bars, yet this was the first machine of the kind 
he had ever seen. The Dr. was exceedingly interested 
in it, and was probably aided by it in his own future 
triumphant and successful experiments. Subsequently 
to the death of Mr. Claggett, and while Dr. Franklin was 
in Philadelphia, his son Thomjas Claggett, desirous of 
setting up a machine on the plan improved by Dr. Frank- 
lin, and as a cylinder v/as not to be obtained in this part 
of the country, sent to the Dr. to procure one for him. 
His request was readily complied with by Franklin, who, 
when learning that it w^as for fhe son of his old friend, 
William Claggett, refused to accept the money sent for 
its purchase. 

Mr. Claggett died on the iSth of October, 1749, in 
the 54th year of his age. He was a member of the First 
Baptist Church. 

The harbor of Newport was occupied by the King's 
ships, for several years previous to the actual commence- 
ment of hostilities, for the purpose of enforcing the 
revenue laws and sustaining the authority of his Majesty 
over the Colony. But after the destruction of the sloop 
Liberty in our harbor, and as the hostility of the Colonies 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 37 

to the acts of the British ministry began more fully to 
develope itself, their number was increased, until a whole 
squadron of ships of war, under command of Admiral 
Wallace, were stationed in our bay, to watch over his 
Majesty's subjects in Rhode-Island. 

On the 19th of April, 1775, the dark elements of strife, 
which had been so long gathering, portentous of the 
storm of death, burst upon the Colonies in the battle of 
Lexington, where eight Americans were shot by the 
wanton cruelty of the British Commander, without the 
least provocation. This fired the Americans with indig- 
nation, and the battle of Bunker Hill, and the surrender 
of Ticonderoga to the American arms, followed each 
other in quick succession. 

In May, of this year, a regiment was raised in the 
county of Newport, commanded by Col. Church, of 
Little Compton. Newport raised three companies, of 
sixty men each, commanded by John Topham, William 
Tew, and Ebenezer Fla^i];. Portsmouth raised one 

• mi • 

company, commanded by Jonathan Browning. This 
regiment marched to Boston and joined the American 
army at that place, during this and the following month, 
when this Island was guarded by the militia and minute- 
men. 

Sept. — Admiral Wallace who commanded the British 
fleet in our harbor at this time, exciting the suspicion 
of the inhabitants, that he intended to remove from the 
south part of the Island a quantity of stock, several per- 
sons during the night went down and brought off about 
fifty head of cattle and one thousand sheep. A few days 
after this, Wallace removed some stock from the two 
lower farms on the Island, where it was supposed they 
had been collected for supplying his Majesty's troops at 
Boston. But the arrival of three hundred minute-men, 
who marched to the place and drove off the remaining 
cattle, prevented any more from being removed by the 
enemy. But this so enraged the British lion, that he 
threatened destruction to everv thing aiound him, both 
4 



38 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE 

by sea and by land. He laid the town under contribu- 
tion to supply the fleet with provisions, and urged hisi 
rigorous demands, by cutting oft' all supplies of fuel andi 
provisions from the main, and by continued threats ofl 
cannonading the town. The menacing attitude of Wal- 
lace against the place, threw the inhabitants into the 
greatest agitation and distress, and about one half of the 
population left the town, and many the Island. Nearly 
all our principal merchants left, with their families and 
effects. Among these was Mr. Aaron Lopez, m.entioned 
in another part of this discourse. He removed to and 
settled in Leicester, Mass. Mr. Lopez was afterward 
drowned in his carriage, in Scott's Pond, a few miles 
North of Providence. 

A treaty was finally concluded between Wallace and! 
the town of Newport, by consent of the State Govern- 
ment, and concurrence of the Continental Congress, then 
in session; who, unanimously recommended that in the 
present exigency, Newport should supply the fleet with 
beer and fresh provisions, as usual, and also the removal 
of the troops from the town, such being the conditions 
of the treaty, Wallace agreeing to remove his restric- 
tions. 

Many were of the opinion that Wallace dared not 
burn the town, and that his only object w-as to awe its 
inhabitants into compliance with his demands. On the 
7th of October, he sailed up the river to Bristol, where 
he demanded three hundred sheep in sacrifice to his 
sacred Majesty, King George. But the inhabitants of 
that town not being satisfied of the divine right of his 
Majesty to make the demand, refused the sacrifice. — 
That evening about 8 o'clock, Wallace commenced a 
heavy cannonading of the town, and Governor Bradford's 
house, wath several others, was burnt. The women and 
children, amidst the darkness and gloom of night, al- 
though the rain poured down in torrents, sought protec- 
tion from their merciless invaders, in the open fields of 
the adjacent country, Wallace captured all American 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 39 

vessels that came into port, and sent them to Boston, 
with their crews on board, and many of them never re- 
turned. About the last of November, he sailed out of 
the harbor, passed over to Connanicut, landed about two 
hundred marines, and burnt all the buildings at and in 
the neighborhood of the ferry. This wanton outrage in 
the destruction of property, was aggravated by the death 
of one of the inhabitants of the Island, who was shot 
while standing at his own door. 

It is a well known fact in the history of those times, 
tliat little was ever effected by the blockadmg squadron 
of Wallace, except keeping the inhabitants in continual 
alarm, by threats and petty depredations on the adjacent 
Islands and neighborhoods. He landed on Prudence, 
and burnt and plundered the whole Island. He would 
also, when the weather was disagreeable and the walking 
bad, parade his vessel round the harbor, and up and 
down the river, for the purpose of harrassing our trnopc, 
in watching his motions, and following hnii by night and 
by day. 

About this time a regiment was raised for this station, 
commanded by Col. Babcock. Gen. Lee was also sent 
from Boston to our assistance, by General Washington, 
with several companies of riflemen. He arrested all the 
vtories he could find, imposed upon them the most severe 
restrictions, and soon after returned to Boston. 

In the autumn of this year, a large number of the 
Rhode-Island troops stationed at Boston, embarked in 
Montgomery's expedition against Quebec, under com- 
mand of Gen. Arnold. No expedition during the war, 
involved greater difticulties, or developed a more uncon- 
querable spirit of perseverance than this. Their march 
through a trackless, unexplored wilderness, for more than 
three hundred miles, rendered their progress slow and 
difficult. They had swamps and woods, mountains and 
precipices to encounter, and what was still more appal- 
ling, their provisions failed them several days before they 
reached the habitation of man. To support life, they 



40 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

were compelled to eat their dogs, shoes, he. and when 
at one hundred miles from a human habitation, they 
divided their last morsel of bread. Many who sunk I 
under the weight of their sufferings, were left to perish 
in the wilderness. And yet such was their unconquera- 
ble spirit of patriotism, that their fortitude remained 
unshaken. On the first of December, a siege was com- 
menced upon Quebec, by the united forces of Arnold 
and Montgomery. At the expiration of the month, 
there being little prospect of effecting any thing by the 
siege, the bold and hazardous plan was adopted of at- 
tempting the place by scaling the walls. The attempt 
was to be made simultaneously in different parts of the 
town, by Montgomery and Arnold. The throwing of a 
rocket was the appointed signal, when the attack was 
made, and the work of death began. 

The attempt proved unsuccessful, and fatal to the 
brave Gen. Montgomery, who fell at the onset, with two 
distinguished officers at his side. The fort assisfned to 
Arnold was carried, and held in possession until the fol- 
lowing morning, when a flag from Sir Guy Carlton, com- 
mander of the British forces at Quebec, informed them 
of the death of Gen. Montgomery, and the retreat of his 
army. It is said that that magnanimous commander, 
when the American prisoners were marched into the 
British barracks, expressed to our suffering troops the 
sympathies of a friend, rather than the cold austerities of 
an enemy — and that he supplied them with every con- 
venience to render their condition comfortable. 

Gen. Arnold was wounded in the action and carried 
from the field, when the command devolved on, and the 
fort was taken by Col. Morgan, a gallant and intrepid 
ofHcer. 

Gen. Arnold remained encamped during the winter, a 
few miles from Quebec, but the following spring not be- 
ing reinforced, and his own forces being insufficient to 
attempt the reduction of the place, he retired, and by the 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 41 

middle of June, tlie Americans bad wholly evacuated 
Canada. 

Wallace maintained the possession of our harbor until 
the spring of 1776. On the 6tb of April, troops having 
been sent to our assistance from Providence, with two 
row-gallies of two eighteen pounders each, and while the 
fleet lay at anchor about a mile above Newport, Col. 
Babcock directed that two eighteen pounders be planted 
on an eminence near the shore, in open view of the ene- 
my, and without any works to protect them. Here the 
intrepid Col. Elliot, together with the gallies under com- 
mand of Commodore Grimes, soon rendered the situa- 
tion of the cowardly Wallace extremely uncomfortable, 
and he abandoned the harbor, with his whole squadron. 
The Glasgow, of twenty guns, commanded by Captain 
Snow, returned to Newport, and came to anchor near 
Fort Island, having fallen in with, and received a severe 
chastisement from Admiral Hopkins, off Block Island. — 
The same evening, Colonel Richmond ordered several 
pieces of heavy artillery to be brought and placed on 
Brenton's Point, where a slight breastwork was thrown 
up during the night. The following morning he opened 
so vigorous and well-directed a fire upon her and the 
transport ship Snow, that they hastily cut their cables 
and went out to sea. 

A few days subsequently, the British ship of war Scar- 
borough, of twenty guns and two hundred and twenty- 
five men, with the Scymetar, of eighteen guns and one 
hundred and forty men, having with them two prize 
ships, put into our harbor and came to anchor a little to 
the South of Rose Island. A resolution was at once 
formed, to attempt the rescue of the prizes. The plan 
adopted was for Captain Hyers, of the Washington gal- 
ley, to attack and hold the Scarborough at bay, while 
Captain Grimes, of the Spitfire galley, was to board 
and bring off the prizes. Col. Babcock had also made 
preparations, in case either of the ships should approach 
sufficiently near the North Battery or Brenton's Point, 
4* 



42 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

to give tbem at those places a warm reception. About 
II o'clock at nighi, Captain Grimes came along side, 
and boarded and took the prize brig from under the stern 
of the man of war. The Scarborough immediately pre- 
pared to give chase, but was so annoyed and embarrassed 
in her course by Captain Hyers, that the brig was 
brought safely to harbor, and the Scarborough within 
reach of the North Battery; when Col. Babcock poured 
upon her such an incessant flood of balls, together with 
the well-directed and galling fire of the Washington gal- 
ley, as entirely to arrest her progress and prevent further 
pursuit. At that moment, the prize sloop was sailing 
with the intention of getting under the protecting wing of 
the Scarborough, but was disappointed by the intrepidity 
of Captain Grimes, who cut her off, boarded, and sent 
her to Providence. 

The British ships having both received a severe chas- 
tisement, the Scarborough from the North Battery and 
the Washington galley, and the Scymetar from the Bat- 
tery at Brenton's Point and the Spitfire galley. Captain 
Grimes, came to anchor between Connanicut and Rose 
Island. But this position was as unpropitious as the for- 
mer, for a battery was opened and the storm of death 
soon came down upon them from the shores of Connani- 
cut ; so that finding no safety in our harbor, and danger 
threatening whichever way they fly, they deemed it the 
better part of valor to abandon tlieir position by a hasty 
and inglorious retreat. But in leaving our harbor, they 
had another fiery ordeal to pass, both at Brenton's Point 
and Castle Hill, where they received a severe and vigor- 
ous cannonade from the American batteries at those 
places. The ships returned the fire with great rage, and 
departed in mortification and disgrace. During these 
eight or ten days of almost incessant and successful strug- 
gles, the Americans had only one man slightly wounded. 

During this season a number of privateers were fitted 
out from this town and Providence, which captured from 
fifty to one hundred valuable prizes, which were sent to 
Providence, New-London, &;c. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 43 

Early in the fall, intelligence was received that a large 
British fleet and army were soon expected to arrive, to 
take possession of the Island. All the cattle the Ameri- 
can commander could collect, prohably one half on the 
Island, were driven to Howland's Ferry, and swam over 
the river, to prevent their falling into the hands of the 
enemy. 

In December, the British fleet and army arrived, un- 
der the conduct of Sir Peter Parker. The American 
force being altogether insuflicicnt to make any effectual 
resistance, retreated from the Island, and many of the 
inhabitants left at the same time. The fleet ran up the 
west side of Connanicut, crossed over from the north 
point of that Island, and landed their troops in Middle- 
town, about four and a half miles from Newport. The 
British army consisted of about eight or ten thousand men, 
English and Hessians, of each about an equal number, 
commanded by Gen. Clinton and Lord Percy. They 
marched up and encamped on Gould's and Weaver's 
hill, except a few, who landed at Coddington's cove and 
marched into Newport. 

When the fleet arrived here, there w^ere two new 
Rhode-Island frigates, called the Warren and the Provi- 
dence, lying in our harbor, with eight or ten privateers, 
which all got under way and run up the river. Both 
frigates and privateers, however, during the winter, tak- 
ing advantage of the North East wind, made their escape 
and went to sea, notwithstanding, the utmost vigilance 
with which every passage was guarded by the British 
fleet ; demonstrating the importance of our bay, and 
proving the impossibility of its being closely blockaded. 

As soon as the army landed, they commenced plunder- 
ing the inhabitants; sheep, fowls, stacks of hay, and every 
thing else they could plunder, went oiTas by the hand of 
magic, the first night. 

After having remained in camp for one week, the 
barrack ofHcer w^ent through the neighborhood, surveying 
every house, and unceremoniously quartering in each, 



44 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

from ten to forty and forty-five men, according to thej 
size and convenience of the house. They remained 
quartered on the inhabitants until May following, when 
they again returned to camp. About this time, several 
tliousand of the British troops left Rhode-Island for New- 
York, under command of Gen. Clinton and Lord Percy. 
The command then devolved on Gen. Prescott. 

Prescott was a haughty, tyrannical commander, and: 
actuated by principles and habits purely aristocratical. — 
He was illy qualified to cultivate the friendship of his 
enemies, or perpetuate the affection and strengthen the 
confidence of his friends.* 

* His constant habit while walking the streets, if he saw any of 
the inhabitants conversing together, was to shake his cane at ihem, 
and say, 'disperse, ye rebels." He was also in the habit when he 
met the citizens in the streets, of commanding them to take off their 
hats, and unless instantly complied with, they were removed by a 
gentle rap of the General's cane. One evening, as the General was 
passing out of town to liis quarters, he overtook a Quaker, who not 
feeling so much reverence for his Majesty's ofBcer, as to doffhis hat, 
the General pressed upon him with his courser until he pinned him 
against the wall, knocked off' his hat, and then put him under guard. 

Gen. Prescott caused many of the citizens of JNewport to be ar- 
rested and detained in prison, some of them for months, without any 
charge, or any assigned reason, whatever. Among the number thus 
detained, was a Mr. Allen. He was in jail for several months, with- 
out ever knowing his particular offence. While stationed here, the 
General and officers were in the habit of giving large and splendid 
parties, to which, many of the first families in Newport were invit- 
ed. One evening, during one of those splendid festivals, the conver- 
sation turned upon the prisoners then in jail; when a young lady 
of the company inquired of the General in what Mr. Allen had par- 
ticularly offended, that he was detained in prison so long. After 
considerable conversation respecting the family of Mr. x'\llen, for 
vv^hich the young lady expressed the deepest sympathy, and just be- 
fore the company separated, the General approached his fair friend, 
who had so eloquently plead the cause of her injured neighbor, and 
gave her a pledge that Mr. Allen, for her sake, should be released 
the following morning — sealing that pledge by impressing a kiss on 
the young lady's hand. The General kept his word. 

Another person, long incarcerated in prison without any specific 
otTence, was Mr. William Tripp, of Broad-street, a worthy and re- 
spectable citizen. Mr. Tripp had a large and interesting family, but 
was not permitted to hold any correspondence with them, either 
written or verbal. The first intelligence he received of them, after 
his imprisonment, was by a letter baked in a loaf of bread. A cor- 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 45 

In July, 1777, Col. Barton, of Providence, conceived 
and executed one of the most bold and hazardous enter- 
prises recorded in the history of the revolution. At this 
lime Gen. Prescott quartered about five miles from New- 
port, on the west road, leading to the Ferry, at the house 
nf a Mr. Overing. Barton's design was, to pass over to 
Rhode-Island from the main, seize Prescott at his quar- 
ters, and carry him to the American camp. This enter- 
prise, although hazardous in the extreme, was planned 
with cool deliberation and consunnnate prudence. Having 
chosen several officers in whom he could repose the most 
unlimited confidence, he selected about forty men, whom 
he knew well understood rowing, and on whose valor he 
could rely in the most perilous exigency. 

At this time, there were three British frigates, the 
Lnrk, ihe Diamond and the Juno, lying with their guard 
boats out, on the East side of Prudence. On the 10th 
of the month, at about nine o'clock in the evening, the 
Colonel with his company embarked on board thpir 
boats from Warwick Neck, and u-ith mutiied oars passed 
over to Rhode-Island, between Prudence and Patience. 
As they passed the South end of Prudence, they heard 
from the guard boats of the enemy, the sentinel's cry, 
" All's well." As they landed. Barton divided his men 
into several divisions, assigning to each their station, when 
they advanced toward the house, preserving the strictest 
order, and the most profound silence. They passed the 

respondence, by lliis mean?, was kept up with his family during 
the remainder of his imprisonment, whicii was until the British 
evacuated the Ishmd. During his confinement in jail, his wife 
sought an interview with the General, with the intention of becom- 
ing an intercessor for the liberation of her husband, or at least, that 
she might be permitted to visit hirn in prison. .She applied to a 
Captain Savage, tJirough whom alone an audience witli the General 
could be obtained, and inquired if she could be admitted to his pre- 
sence. She was directed to call the following day, when the inhu- 
man Savage answered that she could have no interview witli the 
General, and that he expected her husband would be hung in less 
than one week, as a rebel, shutting the door violently against 
her. 



46 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

British guard bouse from 80 to 100 rods on the left, and 
a company of Hght horse, about an equal distance on the 
right. 

One of the divisions was directed by a circuitous course 
to advance upon the house in the rear, and secure the 
doors, while Barton with the other division was to ad- 
vance up in front of the house, through the gate. As 
they approached the gate, the sentinel, who stood a few 
yards from them, cries, " Who comes there ?" Not read- 
ily receiving an answer, he hailed the second time, and 
demanded the countersign ; when Barton sternly replies, 
'•' We have no countersign to give ; have you seen any 
deserters to-night ?" Tliis had the intended effect. They 
still advanced upon him. Barton still demanding with 
greater vehemence, *' Have you seen any deserters ?" 
so that he never suspected them as foes, until his musket 
was seized, and he was told the least noise, and he was 
a dead man. 

The other division had already taken possession of and 
secured the cloorc;, so that egress from it by its inmates, 
was impossible. Col. Barton, with several others, un- 
ceremoniously entered the house, and after some little 
interruption of the family, by a hasty visit to several 
apartments, ascended the stairs leading to the General's 
sleeping room. In the mean time. Major Barrington, aid 
to Gen. Prescott, finding the house attacked, leaped out 
of a window, intending to seek security in flight ; but by 
the time he reached the ground, was secured a prisoner. 
At the moment Barton entered the General's room, he 
sprung from his bed and seized his gold watch hanging 
on the wall ; but Col. Barton placing his hand on his 
shoulder, told him he was his prisoner, and that silence 
was his only safety. Gen. Prescott requested permission 
to dress, but was told by Barton that their business re- 
quired haste, and that he could only have time to wrap 
his cloak around him. For security, and in order that 
the General might keep time with the light hearts and 
quick step of the Colonel's party, he was compelled to 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 47 

walk between two officers, with one arnn resting on the 
shoulders of each, while Major Barrington and the senti- 
nel were stationed in the centre of the party. 

They passed through a barley field a few rods North 
of where Mr. Peleg Coggeshall's barn now stands, and 
but a short distance from the guard house. When they 
arrived at the boats. Gen. Prescott was permitted to dress, 
when he was seated in the boat commanded by Col. B. 
Prescott impHcitly obeyed the injunction of silence, un- 
til they had passed for some distance the British ships. 
And as they landed at Warwick Neck, he turns to Col. 
Barton and says, '•' Sir, you have made a bold push to- 
night." Barton replies, " We have been fortunate." 
Col. Elliot was soon there with a coach to receive and 
convey him to Providence, where himself, with Col. 
Barton and prisoner arrived early in the morning. 

Prescott was afterwards exchanged for Gen. Lee, who 
had fallen into the hands of the enemy, and at the close 
of the same year, or the beginning of the next, he again 
took command of the British forces on Rhode-Island, 
where he remained until its final evacuation. 

In September, 1777, a secret expedition against Rhode- 
Island was concerted by Gen. Spencer, commander in 
chief of the American forces in Rhode-Island. The 
Americans were stationed in Tiverton, near where the 
stone bridge now is. By some means, however, the Bri- 
tish commander was apprized of Spencer's intention, and 
made preparations for his reception. He directed seve- 
ral dams to be throvv'n across the brook, running from the 
North through the land of Wilham Bailey, Southward to 
Easton's pond, which raised the water to the depth of 
three or four feet all through that valley. It is said the 
British intended to permit tliem to land and march up 
without opposition, then destroy their boats and cur off 
their retreat. The expedition was, however, abandoned, 
even after the troops had embarked on board their boats. 
The certain cause of its failure is yet unknown. 



43 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

In October, a flag arrived at Newport, from Provi 
dence, bearing the joyful intelligence of the surrender of 1 
Gen. Burgoyne and army to the American forces. A 
knowledge of this event had reached the Island, and was 
known by certain individuals two days previous to its 
public announcement, by the arrival of the flag. 

During the whole time the British had possession of 
the Island, a correspondence was maintained between 
certain individuals of the Island and the main at Little- 
Compton, so that the American officers were constantly 
apprized of the general movements of the enemy, while 
in possession of Rhode-Island. 

This correspondence was maintained, by signals given 
on the Island, indicating a clear coast, and that a messen- 
ger could pass over in safety, after dark. The first signal 
was the leaving down of a certain pair of bars, which, 
with a spy-glass, could be distinctly seen from the main. 
Afterwards, for fear of exciting the suspicion of the ene- 
my, the signal was changed, when an open window of 
Mr. Peleg Peckham's barn, answered the same purpose. 

A small vault in the ground, near the shore, and at 
no great distance from Mr. Peckham's, covered with a 
flat stone, served as a depository of communication. — 
Here, letters and papers were regularly deposited and 
removed, by the respective individuals engaged in the 
correspondence. It was through this medium of commu- 
nication, the intelligence of Burgoyne's surrender first 
reached the Island. It is said that the paper bringing 
this intelligence, and which was found safely deposited 
in the vault, is still preserved in the family of a Mr .Bar- 
ker, on the Island. 

That part of the British army now in possession of 
the Island, consisted of the 22d regiment, commanded by 
Col. Campbell ; the 43d, by Col. Marsh ; the 54th, by 
Col. Bruce ; and the 63d, by Major Sill. The artillery 
was commanded by Col. Ennis. The Hessian regiments 
were, the Heno, the Beno, the Dedford, and Lanscraft, 
deriving their names from their respective commanders. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 49 

There was also a company of light horse attached to the 
army, with a regiment of refugees, commanded hy Col. 
Fanning. There were also a few companies attached to 
the army, called Soushears and Anspaks ; these were 
Germans. 

In the spring of 1778, Gen. Sulliv^an having been ap- 
pointed to tlie command of the American troops in Rhode- 
Island, the Brilisli commander at Newport, anticipatmg 
an attempt upon the Island by the Americans, sent a de- 
tachment of 500 men up the river, to destroy their boats, 
and by this means frustrate the antici[)ated expedition. 
They landed on the morning of the 25th of May, at day- 
light, between Warren and Bristol, and proceeded in two 
divisions, one for Warren, and the other for the head of 
Kickemuet river, " where they destroyed about seventy 
flat bottomed boats, and set fire to one of the State gal- 
lies." They also burnt a large quantity of pitch, tar, 
plank, and other property belonging to the Americans at 
that place. 

The party which proceeded to Warren, after having 
burnt the meeting-house and a number of dwelling 
houses, plundering and robbing the inhabitants, not even 
the females excepted, (these were robbed of their shoe- 
buckles, gold rings, handkerchiefs, Sic.,) joined the other 
division and made a descent on Bristol, where they burnt 
twenty-two dwelling houses^ and by mistake, the Epis- 
copal Church., instead of the meeting-house. 

A few days subsequently, a body of one hundred and 
fifty men were sent to burn the mills, and other buildings 
around it, at Tiverton. They burnt the old mill and anoth- 
er building at the landing, but in proceeding to the town, 
the place of their intended plunder, their progress was ar- 
rested at the bridi^e, by a Spartan band of twenty-five 
men, v/ho had planted themselves here, and disputed their 
passage. Nor were they able to carry the bridge, al- 
though frequently attempted, and were compelled to re- 
turn without effecting the object of their plunder. 

In July, 1778, the French fleet of eleven sail of line 
5 



50 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

ships, besides frigates and transports, under the command 
of Count D'Estaing, appeared off the harbor, to the great | 
joy of i' e inhabitants, and anchored near to Brenton's 
reef. One of the ships of the fleet run up the west side ' 
*of Connanicut and anchored at the North point of the : 
Island. The three British frigates above mentioned, lay 
at anchor on the East side of Prudence. A few morn- 
ings after, they weighed anchor and sailed with the design i 
of getting under protection of the battery, at Tammany 
Hill. The French ship, aware of their intention, got un-- 
der way at the same time, and cut them off. 

The frigates then stood in for the shore, and were run 
aground about five or six miles from Newport, on the 
west side of Rhode-Island. Before they grounded, they 
cut away the masts, for the purpose of driving them nearer 
the shore, and as soon as they struck, they set them on 
fire and made for the shore in their boats. During this 
time the French ship was sufficiently near to have thrown 
grape shot over them, yet when she saw them fire and 
abandon their vessels, slie retired and took her former 
position, without firing a gun. 

A number of British vessels lying at Coddington Cove, 
were also set on fire as soon as the burning of the irigates 
was discovered. The Grand Duke, lying a little to the 
North of Long-wharf, with several other vessels, was burnt. 
The Falcon and the Flora, frigates, were sunk ; tl>e 
latter at Fort Walcott wharf, and they were never after- 
ward able to float her. About a year after the British 
evacuated the Island, and the Americans took possession, 
the Flora was floated, fitted for sea, and sent to France. 
About the same time ihe frigates w^ere burnt in the har- 
bor and along the shore, the King Fisher, a m.an of war, 
was burnt in the East Passage. 

The French fleet, after lying at anchor for several 
days, run up the middle passage and anchored under 
Gould Island. They run up under three top-sails, and 
received the fire of the British batteries as they passed, 
but returned it with such warmth, that they soon silenced 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 5X 

the forts. Several shot from the French fleet, were un- 
intentionally thrown into the town. 

As soon as the fleet approached the harbor, the Brit- 
ish troops commenced burning the houses about two 
miles from Newport. Commencing from the house now 
owned by George Irish, Esq. they burnt every house on 
the West road, for the distance of a mile ; on the East 
road about half that distance, and from the West road to 
the shore. 

A few days previous to this, the British commander* 

* At the same time, a party principally refugees, was employed 
and sent out through the Island, headed by one William Crosson, 
who cut and destroyed every cart wheel, waggons, and carriages of 
all descriptions, grindstones, scvthcs, axes, hatchets, and every other 
edged tool tJiey could find, and filled up many of the wells Cros- 
son's deeds of darkness were perpetrated during the night, and were 
not conlined to the limits of the Island, but often extended as far as 
Swansey-Neciv, Little-Compton, and Fall-River — plundering the in- 
habitants of every thing he could bring off in his boat, and frequent- 
ly, not even sparing the citizens themselves. In one of his midnight 
«'":vCursions, he seized and broujiht off a worthy and respectable citi- 
zen of Swansey-Neck, by the name of Slade, who died of the small 
pox on board "the British prison-ship in our harbor. And many 
others who had the misfortune to fall into his hands, never after 
were permitted to return. 

Crosson's character had become so notorious, and public indigna- 
tion so excited, that measures were taken for his apprehension. — 
But securely sheltered under the protecting wing of British power 
by day, no prospect of his capture appeared, unless it could be ef- 
fected when engaged in his depredations at night. Accordingly, a 
boat was fitted out at Little-Compton, called a shaving mill, com- 
manded by Lemuel Bailey of that town, for his capture. Nor was it 
long before he found himself a prisoner. He was conveyed to 
Providence under a strong guard, but when he arrived there, such 
was the public feeling of indignation against him, that with great 
dilficulty the guard could protect him from popular violence. 

After having been in prison for several months in that town, by 
some means (supposed to be by the influence of a bribe) he escaped 
from jail and again appeared iti Newport. When the British evac- 
uated the Island, Crosson went off with them, and probably consid- 
ered it safe to remain with them, as he never afterwards returned to 
Newport. 

Among the reckless associates of Crosson, was a man by the 
name of Gouldsborough. He landed his party at Little-Compton, one 
evening, near the place where a lad by the name of Taggart, son of 
Judge ^Villiam Taggart, Sen. and brother of the late Judge Tag- 
gart, of JMiddletown, was stationed as a sentinel. The inhuman 
Oouldsborough seized and murdered young Taggart on the spo^ 



52 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

had seized and drove within the lines, all the stock, cows,. 
oxen, he, he could find on the Island. Sheep, there 
were none, having all been previously stolen. 

The same day, (at night) on which the French fleet 
came in, the British withdrew their troops from the 
North end of the Island, and took up their position on 
the heights, about two miles from Newport. Their line 
extended from Coddington's Cove to Easton's beach ; 
the whole distance being defended by breast works and 
redoubts. Beside which, they had a line still nearer the 
town, running from the West of the North mill^ down to 
the house now occupied by Mr. Joseph Perry, on the 
Gibbs estate. 

On the following morning, the American army landed 
on the North end of the Island, without opposition, and 
took possession of the neighboring heights. The army 
was composed of militia, continental troops, and volun- 
teers, commanded by Generals Sullivan, Green, Glover, 
and the Marquis de La Fayette, supposed to number 
from ten to fifteen thousand men. 

On the afternoon of the same day that the Americans 
landed on the Island, the British fleet of twenty-five sail, 
was discovered standing in for Newport. They came to 
ofl" Point Judith, for the night, but a sudden change of 
wind favoring tlie Count the following morning, he stood 
out to sea with his whole squadron. Lord Howe, after 
some unsuccessful manoeuvering to get the weather-gage 
of the French fleet, put to sea, followed by Count D'- 
Estaing, and both fleets v^ere soon lost sight of in the dis- 
tance. The storm which had already commenced, con- 
tinued to rage with increasing violence for several days, so 
that no general action was obtained between the fleets. — 
Both, however, were greatly damaged by the storm. 

The Languedoc, of ninety guns, commanded by Count 
D'Estaing, had neither masts nor bowsprit standing, and 
several others were in a similar situation. The American 
troops encamped on the North part of the Island, suflered. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 53 

not less than the ships. Such was the violence of the 
tempest, attended with a poweiTuJ rain, that by the night 
of the 12th, not a tent or marquee remained standing. — 
Many horses and several of the soldiers perished by the 
severity of the storm, and the whole army was in the 
most wretched and deplorable condition. And in ad- 
dition to their own personal sufferings, the greater part 
of their ammunition was either destroyed or greatly 
damaged by the storm. 

The 14th, the storm having subsided and the day 
being serene and warm, the American army spent in 
drying their clothes, &lc., and in making ready for their 
future operations. On the following morning, they took 
up their line of march in three several divisions: one on 
the East road, one on the West, and the third through 
the centre of the Island, and possessed themselves of the 
heights, about one and a half miles from the British lines. 
Gen. Sullivan quartered about five miles from Newport, 
at what is now called the Gibbs farm. Gen. de La 
Fayette quartered on the East side of the Island, at what 
was then called the Boiler garden farm, about the same 
distance from Newport. Gen. Green quartered in Mid- 
dletown, on the farm now owned by Col. Richard K. 
Randolph, of this town. 

The British had thrown up a large fort, the remains 
of which are still visible a little to the North and East of 
the house of George Irish, Esq. and directly opposite on 
Houeyman's hill, at a distance of a little more than a 
mile, the Americans had thrown up a fort and other 
works, and by the 20th, they had opened two four gun 
batteries; and by the 2.3d, had mounted seventeen pieces 
of heavy artillery, two ten inch mortars, and three five 
and a half inch howitzers. 

From these works, on either side, was kept up a con- 
tinual cannonading by day, and throwing of bombs by 
night, by which many were killed on both sides. No 
intelligence was received and nothing was known of the 
5* 



54 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

disabled and wrecked condition of the fleets, until about 
a week after the storna, when the French fleet was seen 
at a distance, standing for Newport. 

At 7 o'clock, P. M., the Marquis de La Fayette, and 
other officers, went on board to consult with the French^ 
officers, on measures for the vigorous and successful pros- 
ecution of the expedition, and prevail witli them imme- 
diately to enter the harbor. But their eftbrts were without 
success, and about 12 at nighi, they left the ships and re- 
turned on shore. The conduct of the Count, in refusing a 
compliance with the request of the American officers, when 
conquest appeared so easy and victory so sure, w?s most 
severely censured. But when it is considered that his 
instructions were positive from the Court of France, in 
case of disaster, and that his officers unanimously signed 
a protest against entering the harbor in their disabled 
condition, this censure, at least in a very great degree, 
must appear to have been unmerited and severe. 

The militia raised for this expedition, were drafted 
only for three weeks ; one half of which, were on ser- 
vice, and the remainder were to hold themselves in read- 
iness to succeed these at the expiration of that time, if 
called for. Within twenty-four hours after the French 
fleet sailed for Boston, between two and three thousand 
volunteers from Boston and other parts of New-England, 
left the army and returned home. And many of the 
militia, whose term of service had now expired, returned, 
while those that were to succeed them, came on with 
reluctance, and not more than half their number was 
ever supplied; so that the American army was greatly 
reduced. 

In this situation, without a naval force to protect or 
succor them, the possibility of a successful retreat was 
now the only desideratum. But it was deemed prudent, 
not hastily to abandon their present position, lest they 
slioald thus encourage the pursuit of their foes, and haz- 
ard the honor of a successful retreat. They still main- 
tained their post, until the night of the 28th, when about- 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 55 

1*2 o'clock, the army began to move toward the North. 
It had been decided in a council of war, to retreat to the 
North end of the Island, secure a communication with 
the main, and wait until information should be received 
from the French fleet in Boston. 

Gen. de La Fayette was dispatched with a message 
to Count D'Estaing, to ascertain whether tb.e assistance 
and co-operation of the fleet could be expected, and to 
solicit its speedy return. Tlie Count could not consent 
that the fleet should return, but promptly oflered to 
march his troops from Boston, to the assistance of the 
American -forces on Rhode-Island, if requested. At 
day-light, the retreat having been discovered by the 
British, they took up their march in pursuit. 

About six miles from Newport, the regiment in ad- 
vance, commanded by Col. Campbell, was separated in- 
two divisions and pressed forward in pursuit, one division 
retaining the road, the other the open field to the left. — 
They advanced without opposition or obstruction, until 
they approached a wall running from the West a little to 
the North of Sampson Sherman's house. Here the 
Americans had lying in ambush under the wall, a piquet 
guard of between three and four hundred men, who were 
not discovered by the enemy, and who were ordered not 
to fire, until the word was given by the commander ; 
again load and fire with the greatest possible expedition, 
and then continue their retreat. 

The orders were strictly obeyed, and the command to 
fire was not given, until the enemy were within half gun 
shot, when they poured upon them such a flood of death, 
as not only to check the advancing foe, but throw them 
into the utmost confusion, giving the guard sufficient time 
again to fire and make their retreat, with but very little 
loss. 

Col. Campbell had several balls pass through his 
clothes, and his horse killed under him. At one of the 
field pieces, every man was shot down at the first fire. — 
In the rear and at a distance of not more than half a 



56 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

mile, the fifty-fourth and two Hessian regiments were 
advancing, but so unexpected and fatal had been the 
work of that moment, and so rapid the retreat of the as- 
sailants, that they arrived too late to render their dying 
companions the least assistance. 

The main body of the American army had gained and 
taken possession of Butts' hill, on the Northern part of 
the Island. It has generally been supposed, even at this 
time, had Gen. Green's advdce been taken, a most signal 
victory might have been achieved, over the pursuing 
enemy. His advise was overruled, however, and the 
enemy pressed onward toward the American lines. 

They advanced near the left wing of the American 
army, but were repulsed and driven back by General 
Glover, when they retired and took possession of Quaker 
hill, about a mile from the position occupied by the 
Americans. A continual skirmishing was kept up be- 
tween the two armies, during this and the following day, 
and frequently whole regiments were engaged in the 
deadly strife at once, and the same spot of ground was 
frequently taken possession of, and abandoned by both 
belligerent parties. 

The last and most severe skirmish during the action, 
was an attempt made by the Briiish on a redoubt. In pos- 
session of the Americans. A reinforcement was sent to 
their relief, who arrived just in time to prevent the suc- 
cess of the enemy, and just as they were making a third 
and desperate effort to carry the redoubt. They were 
repulsed with considerable loss, and in great confusion 
precipitately retreated, leaving many of their slain and 
wounded on the field of battle. After this action, the 
firing of the musquetry ceased, but the firing of the artil- 
lery still continued on both sides. 

One grand object of the American commander in 
planting himself on these heights, and of maintaining so 
long, the sanguinary conflict, was to secure the removal 
of the baggage and heavy stores of war, which was briskly 
going on in the rear, while the roar of cannon and the 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 57 

Storm of death were raging in the front. The sentinels 
of both armies were stationed at a distance of not more 
than seventy rods from each other, so that it required no 
small degree of generalship to cover the design of retreat 
from the suspicion of a watchful enemy, and render that 
retreat triumphant and successful. 

On the 30tli of the month, a number of tents- were 
built in full view of the enemy, and the whole army were 
apparently engaged in fortifying and strengthening their 
present position. After the going down of the sun, they 
built a large number of fires, extending nearly across the 
Island, to lull the enemy into security, and cover from 
suspicion their intended retreat. 

As soon as the surrounding darkness favored the de- 
sign, the tents were struck, and the troops with the artil- 
lery, horses and stores of war, moved to the North, em- 
barked in their flat bottomed boats, and were all safely 
landed on the main, before the dawn of day. The brave 
and generous de La Fayette, who returned from Boston 
at the moment our troops were landing, was very greatly 
disappointed in not having been permitted to share the 
penis of the action. Anticipating such an event, he had 
rode the distance of seventy miles in about six hours. — 
Nor could he be prevented from passing over to bring off 
the piquet and other parties, which covered the Ameri- 
can retreat. 

Tliis he effected with such consummate prudence and 
self-possession, that not a man was left behind, nor the 
slightest loss sustained. This retreat, notwithstanding the 
fiilure of the expedition, reflected the highest honor on 
the American commanders, and the wisdom and skill by 
which it was executed, was applauded even by the Brit- 
ish ofHcers themselves. 

The British held possession of the Island until the 
autumn of 1779, when Sir Henry Clinton, at New- York, 
anticipating an attack upon that place by the combined 
forces of America and France, dispatched a number of 
transports to bring off the troops from Rhode-Island, to 



58 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

Strengthen his forces at Mew- York. They embarked on 
the 25th of October, and arrived at New- York on the 
27th. On the day the Island was evacuated, orders 
were issued by the British Commander, that the inhabi- 
tants of Newport should keep within their houses during 
the time the royal troops were passing through the streets, 
to the place of their embarkation, on penalty of death. — 
This injunction was strictly complied with, so that those 
who had the curiosity to see the invaders of their peace- 
ful shores march through the streets, stole a glance at 
them through the crevices of their windows and doors. — 
They burnt all the barracks at Fort Adams, and the light 
house at Beaver-tail. They carried off w^ith them the 
town records, consisting of the books of registry of deeds, 
the records of the town-council, the court of probate, &lc. 
w^iich in their passage to New^-York, were unfortunately 
sunk with the vessel which carried them away, near Hurl 
Gate, and were under water for several hours, before 
they were recovered. When they were afterward re- 
turned to Newport, they were in a damaged condition ; 
but had they been copied immediately on their recovery, 
many valuable documents might have been preserved. — 
But having been neglected, they are now in a dilapidated 
and ruined state, and of very little use. 

The possession of the island lor three years, by a 
strong and powerful foe, who treated its inhabitants as 
rebels against the authority of their King, and conse- 
quently claiming the divine right of his Majesty, to what- 
ever the royal troops should })lease to possess, reduced 
the inhabitants to the greatest poverty and distress. 

During that period, they had cut down and consumed 
all the flourishing groves of forest trees, with many of the 
most valuable orchards, and numerous ornamental trees, 
which beautified and adorned the Island, so that the in- 
habitants were entirely destitute of fuel. The winter, 
also, of 1779-80, was one of the most severe in the 
memory of man. The rivers were frozen over from the 
Island to the main, and the people of Newport were re- 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 5t) 

duced to the greatest distress. Wood in the winter of 
1779-80, was sold in this town at the enormous price of 
^20 per cord. In adtUtion to the distress occasioned by 
the scarcity of fuel, provisions were also equally scarce, 
the crops having been either destroyed or greatly dam- 
aged by the preceding August storm ; so that corn was 
sold at four silver dollars per bushel, and potatoes at two 
dollars per bushel. To relieve the wants of the suffering 
poor, a tax of £2,000, lawful money, was voted for the 
purchase of corn ; and donations v/ere also solicited from 
other towns. Tiverton made a donation of wood, and 
other towns of provisions. 

During the possession of the Island by the British, the 
freemen of Newport had held their town-meetings for 
choice of representatives in General Assembly, in Provi- 
dence, agreeably to an act of that body, granting them 
permission to do so. Middletown and Portsmouth held 
their town-meetings in Tiverton, for the same purpose. — 
But after the evacuation of the Island by the enemy, the 
General Assembly passed an act empowering the town of 
Newport to resume their corporate powers and choose 
town officers, providing every person should be excluded 
from voting, who had in any wise aided the enemy. — 
The first meeting of the freemen for the choice of officers, 
was held at the Friends' meeting house, Nov. 1779. 

On the 10th of July, 1780, the French fleet of seven 
sail of the line and five frigates, with a large number of 
transports, and an army of six thousand men, arrived at 
Newport, to the great joy of the inhabitants. The fleet 
was commanded by the Chevalier de Ternay, and the 
army by Lieut. Count de Rochambeau. The town was 
illuminated, and the arrival of the fleet and army greeted 
with the fullest demonstrations of gratitude and joy. — 
Complimentary addresses were made by a committee of 
the General Assembly, then in session, both to Admiral 
de Ternay, and Count de Rochambeau, to which they 
gave the most spirited and patriotic replies. 

In July, it having been ascertained that a large naval 



@Q HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

and land force were destined against this town, the inhab- 
itants associated and formed tliemselves into companies,, 
both for the common defence, and also that the disafFect-- 
ed might be known. The town was divided into four- 
districts, and by a vote of the freemen, the inhabitants; 
were required to meet and sign articles of association;; 
and those who should not appear at the places designa-- 
ted in the several districts, were to be deemed as enemies' 
of their country ; and all persons refusing to take upi 
arms against the enemy, were to be sent out of town. — 
It was voted that a copy of the list of disaffected per- 
sons ordered to be forwarded to the council of war, be 
also sent to Gen. Heath, that if the Briti;.h fleet and 
army arrive before any return is received from the coun- 
cil of war, he may know what persons the town requests 
should be removed from the Island. The list sent to, 
the council of war, was called the " Black list," em-- 
bracing the vote of the town, that such persons be sent^ 
immediately from the Island, as ininiical to the United] 
States. The militia from Connecticut and Massachusetts 
were ordered to the defence of Rhode-Island. The ex- 
pedition was however abandoned by Sir Henry Clinton, 
even after having sailed from New- York with a large 
fleet, and an army of eight thousand men, as far as, 
Huntington Bay, on Long- Island, much to the disap-j 
pointment and grief of our magnanimous allies, who were^ 
prepared to give him a most warm and hearty reception.] 

The Admiral de Ternay died soon after his arrival at! 
Newport, and was buried with military honors, in Trinity j 
Church yard, where a slab on the Norih side of thei 
Church, was afterward erected to his memory. | 

In March, 1781, General Washington arrived at New-j 
port. He passed over irom the main, by Connanicutj 
ferry, and landed from his barge at the head of Long-j 
wharf. As he passed the French fleet lying back ofi 
the fort, they fired a salute, and the army was drawn ^ 
up in order for his reception at the Long-wharf. — ^ 
They formed in two lines extending from the house 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 61 

>f William Vernon, Esq. at the South end of Clark- 
treet, to the Parade, thence to the West end of Long- 
^harf. Washington marched up between the two lines, 
eceiving the wannest congratulations of his fellow-citi- 
iens, and the same honors from his generous allies, which 
hey said they paid their king. The town was illumin- 
,ted the evening after his arrival at Newport. This was 
he first interview he had enjoyed with the French offi- 
;ers, and it is said, here Washington and Count D'Rocham- 
)eau laid their plans for an attack upon New- York, 
vhich was disconcerted by the arrival of a large fleet and 
irmy to the assistance of Sir Henry Clinton, under the 
command of Admiral Rodney. 

About this time. Admiral D'Barras arrived at Boston, 
md succeeded to the command of the French squadron 
It Newport. It was soon after decided in a council of 
var, held at Weathersfield, Con., by General Washing- 
on, Count D'Rochambeau and other distinguished of- 
icers, that the troops on Rhode-Island (with the excep- 
ion of about five hundred to guard the works,) should 
mmediately march for the North River, to join the 
\.merican army. 

During the whole period the French army was quar- 

ered in Newport, such was their strict regard to the 

ghts and property of the inhabitants, that the whole 

mount of damage done by them, would not exceed one 

mndred dollars. 

The surrender of Lord Cornwallis and army to the 
inited forces of America and France, on the 19th of 
October, 1731, decided the destiny of the revolution, 
nd was virtually the close of the war. For although 
everal places of importance were still in the possession 
f the enemy, yet their days were numbered, and their 
lestiny sealed. On the 4th of March, 1782, the British 
'arliament in the House of Commons passed a resolu- 
ion, declaring all as enemies to his Majesty and his 
ylajesty's kingdom, who should advise to the longer con- 
inuance ol the war in America. Preliminaries of peace 
6 



52 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

were entered into at Paris, in Nov. 1782, and a defini- 
tive treaty, in which Great Britain acknowledged the 
sovereignty and independence of the United States, was 
signed in September, 17S3. 

During the war of the revokition, ahhough Newport 
being in possession of the enemy, had but few privateers 
engaged in the deadly strife, still she furnished a number 
of distinguished naval commanders, and a greater number 
of marines, perhaps, than any other town in New-Eng- 
land, in proportion to her size and population. 

It is supposed by those who lived in times that tried 
men's souls, that Newport probably furnished a thousand 
men for the naval service in that war, and that one hall 
of these fell into the hands of the enemy, and died on 
board a man of war, the Fortune prison in England, or 
the old Jersey prison-ship, which for the loathsomeness 
and terror of 'its dungeons, compared with the Blacky 
Hole of Calcutta. . 

The naval commanders in that war, were John Grimes 
Benjamin Pierce, Joseph Gardiner, William Dennis 
James Godfrey, Remembrance Simm.ons, Thomas Stacy 
Ohver Read, Capt. Bently, Samuel JefFers, John Cogg- 
shalle, William Finch, Capt. Jaquays, James Phillips. 
Ezekiel Boroughs, John Murphy, Isaac Freeborn, Wil- 
ham Ladd, Joseph Sheffield, and Capt. Gazzee. These 
either sailed from Newport previous to its possession by 
the enemy, or subsequently, from other ports of New- 
England, the West Indies, he. 

The privateers, though small in numerical power and- 
force, yet they constantly annoyed the enemy, took man j 
valuable prizes, and achieved some splendid victories.— 
Capt. Oliver Read, of this town, justly deserves a place 
in the history of those times. No sooner was intelli- 
gence received that the invaders of his country hac 
commenced their march of death in the environs of Bos- 
ton, than he left the peaceful retirement of home, anc 
hastened to the rescue. He offered his services to hi; 
country as a volunteer, and joined the American troopi 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 63 

in the neighborhood of Boston. But the dull monotony 
of the camp was neither suited to the character nor habits 
of Capt. Read. He soon left the army and sailed as 
the commander of a privateer. 

His bold adventurous spirit exposed him to great dan- 
gers, and during the continuance of the war, he was 
often in the power of his foes. But the same merciful 
Providence which watched over and directed the destiny 
of that event, watched over and preserved this bold and 
fearless patriot. After having been several times taken 
prisoner, and sufl^ered some ungentlemanly treatment 
from liis foes, he solemnly protested, if ever he command- 
ed another vessel, to make atonement for the insults re- 
ceived. He was no sooner released from his confine- 
ment, than his friends purchased and fitted him a new 
and well built brig, called the Rochambeau. Jn this 
brig, Capt. Read achieved several victories, and took 
many valuable prizes. But he was destined to see his 
favorite brig in the possession of his foes, and himself 
again a prisoner of war by the chicanery of one of his 
youtliful companions, who was a loyalist ; or in the com- 
mon parlance of that age, a tory. Capt. Read and his 
companions were carried to New- York, and from thence 
transferred to the Jersey prison-ship. 

In the floating dungeons of this Aceldama, where dis- 
ease and death reigned throughout every apartment, 
Capt. Read resolved not to remain without attempting 
his escape, if he perished in the attempt. He communi- 
cated his designs to several of his fellow prisoners. — 
Capt. Isaiah Cahoone and Capt. John Tower, of Provi- 
dence, with one or two others, who, with the same dar- 
ing intrepidity, resolved to share the fate of Capt. Read. 
The only plan of escape which afforded the least hope 
of success, was to seize the boat of the prison-ship, and 
make their escape under the guns of the vessel. 

This plan, hazardous and full of danger as it was, was 
finally agreed upon, and they waited only for an opportu- 
nity to offer itself, when, at a concerted signal, they were 



54 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE 

to attempt its execution. After waiting with impatience 
for several days, Providence seemed to smile upon their 
design, and grant them a favorable opportunity of at- 
tempting their escape. Just before night, the boat of the 
prison-ship returned from shore, and unloaded her stores 
of provision, when, at the given signal ofCapt, Read, his 
companions leaped after him into the boat, cut away her 
ropes and made for the shore, amidst a shower of balls. 

The darkness of night and the violence of a snow 
storm, which at that time commenced, prevented the 
pursuit of their enemies, and they fortunately landed on 
Long Island, during the night. Capt. Read soon re- 
turned to Newport, with a heart burning with indigna- 
tion, especially against his old school fellow, Crandall, 
the tory. It is said that when Read was delivered by 
Crandall, to the officers of the Jersey prison-ship, he cast 
a withering look at that reckless being, and says, " A 
short life to one of us. If we meet again, and meet 
again we shall, one of us dies." 

Capt. Read was soon in command of another vessel, 
of about an equal force with the Rochambeau, which was 
now commanded by the infamous Crandall. It was not 
long before she was descried, although newly painted 
and disguised. Read prepared for action, and as he ap- 
proached her, hoisted American colors ; being hailed, he 
answered by a broad-side, and at the same time, showed 
himself to the astonished Crandall, who supposed him 
safely lodged in the Jersey prison-ship. 

The conflict lasted for several hours, until almost every 
man on boad the Rochambeau, was either slain or wound- 
ed. And when taken possession of, the lion heart even 
of Capt. Read, was deeply affected. There lay the 
headless body of the treacherous Crandall, surrounded by 
his fallen companions, while the deck was literally cov- 
ered with human gore. Capt. Read again entered his 
native port, accompanied by his favorite Rochambeau. — 
The brig was immediately repaired and fitted for sea, 
when her bold commander again sailed on another cruise. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. (35 

Capt. Read having learned off Sandy Hook, that the 
brig Spy, of Providence, had been taken by his Majes- 
ty's ship Lion, of 64 guns, and ordered to Newport, re- 
solved, if possible, to retake her. 

Accordingly, he moored his v\essel in safety, and kept 
on the look out, near the Hook. The Spy soon came in 
sight under Britsh colors, cast anchor, and waited for a 
pilot. Capt. Read with a few brave fellows to man his 
boat, came along side and offered his services as a pilot 
to conduct them to New-York. His services were readily 
accepted, and he took his post at the helm. 

The wind flavoring his design, he put her head for his 
native town, and let her drive ; nor was the trick dlscov- 
ed until it was too late. For as they were approaching 
near the place of destination, the prize master says to the 
pilot, ' Sir, we are going to New- York, are we ?' The 
pilot very respectfully bowing, answered laconically, ' no 
Sir, no. We are going to Newport.'* 

George W. Babcock, of Narragansett, who sailed from 
Newport, distinguished himself as a naval commander, 
and fought some of the most bloody and obstinate battles 
during the war. In the spring of 1779, he sailed from 
Boston, and on the 16th of May, he fell in with, and 
captured (after an obstinate engagement,) a British pri- 
vateer, called the Tartar, a few days from Cork. 

The Tartar mounted twenty- six carriage guns, with a 
complement of one hundred and sixty-two men. Capt. 
Babcock commanded the Mifflin, of twenty guns, and a 
complement of one hundred and fifty men. But having 
previously taken and manned several prizes, the actual 
number in the encasement could not exceed one hundred 
and twenty men. The crew of the Mifflin, were prmci- 
pally from Newport and Narragansett. Her first Lieut. 
Mr. Timothy Coggesball, was an inhabitant of this 
Island. 

* The above account of Captain Oliver Read, although principally 
derived from tradition, is believed to be substantially correct. 

6* 



66 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



The batt'e raged with increasing violence for several 
hours, at a very short distance, and before the deadly- 
conflict was hushed, the vessels were so near each other, 
that they could readily jump from one to the other. — 
But the British flag finally came down, and Capt. Bab- 
cock took possession of the Tartar. Two days previous 
to this engagement, he had fldlen in with and captured 
the British store ship Elephant, which was conveying to 
England, a large number of invalids, both officers and 
privates. When Capt. Babcock approached the Ele- 
phant, and demanded that her colors be struck to an 
American privateer, her proud and haughty commander, 
although he knew he could make no efl:ectual resistance, 
refused to comply. 

It is said that Babcock reasoned with him and remon- 
strated against the unnecessary effusion of blood, his ob- 
stinacy would inevitably involve, for several minutes be- 
fore he ordered his men to fire. The engagement lasted 
but a few moments before the flag of the Elephant was 
struck ; but those moments proved fatal to her comman- 
der, who fell, with six of his crew by his side. 

Tlie success of Capt. Babcock and his crew, had near- 
ly proved fatal to them. The number of tlieir prisoners 
had now so increased, as to render their situation far 
more hazardous than the roar of the British cannon. The 
only alternative of safety that presented itself, was, the 
dismission of a large number of them. Accordingly, af- 
ter having received a bill from the British oflicer, ac- 
knowledging the receipt of so many prisoners of war, 
Capt. Babcock put them on board a prize ship, and left 
them to pursue their voyage. The Mifflin after the 
engagement sailed for France, and the Tartar was sent 
to Boston, where she subsequently arrived in safety. 

On the return of peace, the town of Newport was in 
ruins. The storm of war had beat heavily upon her, and,, 
to use the language of Dr. Waterhous% " she resembled 
an old battered shield, long iield up against the common. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 57 

enemy." While the British troops had possession of the 
town, they converted most of the meeting-houses and ' 
other public buildings into hospitals, barracks, he. so 
that literally they had made the house of God a den of 
thieves. They tore down the pews and the pulpits of 
some of the meeting-houses, beside otherwise greatly 
injuring them. They took down the bells of the Con- 
gregational meeting-houses, and carried them away. The 
places of worship were in a state of dilapidation and ruin, 
so that it might well have been said at that time, 

^- Flow are the seats of worship broke ! 
They tear the buildings down ; 
And lie that deals the lieaviest stroke, 
Procures the cliief renown." 

The only place of worship that had escaped their de- 
predations, was the Episcopal Church. 

In addition to the destruction of property in public 
buildings, many private dwelling-houses were either 
greatly injured or totally destroyed. According to the 
estimate of a committee appointed by the General Assem- 
bly, for that purpose, it appears that the loss sustained 
by the inhabitants of Newport, in the destruction of dwel- 
ling-houses and other property, amounted to £124,798 
135. od. silver money. This estimate includes the loss 
of private property, sustained by individuals only. By 
an account of the number of inhabitants in Newport, ta- 
ken by order of the General Assembly in 173*2, there 
were at that time 4912 whites, and 618 colored inhabi- 
tants, including 69 Indians ; making the whole popula- 
tion 5530. This estimate, compared with that made by 
order of the General Government in 1774, shows a de- 
crease of the population of this town during the war, of 
3679. That estimate gave to Newport a popidatlon of 
7917 whites, 1246 blacks and 46 Indians ; making a sura 
total of 9209. And this was supposed to fall considera- 
bly below the actual number, being underrated for the 
purpose of escaping greater requisitions for men and mon- 
ey. If, as is supposed, Newport once numbered 11,000 



(38 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

inhabitants, about one half that number was dispersed by 
the revolution. The population of Providence was then: 
only 4321. Mr. Bull says, "The town of Providence, , 
from the time it was burned or nearly destroyed, in King ; 
Philip's war, had been constantly recovering, but at first . 
very slowly ; for tradition says, that for sixty or seventy ^ 
years after that war, the town of Providence had but lit- 1 
tie more than recovered her former size. At the time , 
we have arrived at (viz. 1774) the town of Providence ' 
was much increased in population, business and wealth. 
Its trade, commerce and manufactures had assumed a vig- 
orous appearance, and every indication of future enlarge- 
ment, even before the revolutionary war. That war, by 
drawing from Newport much of the wealth, the industry, 
the commerce, the commercial capital, and commercial 
intelligence of the town, contributed to the fortune, growth 
and prosperity of Providence. Situated on a navigable i 
river, w^iich was unapproachable by an enemy, she en- 
joyed greater security than most other commercial towns ' 
during the revolutionary struggle, and with that security 
came innumerable other advantages. 

In Philip's war, much of the strength and capacity of 
the town of Providence, removed and settled in Newport, 
which was abundantly repaid in the war of the revolu- 
tion. Owing to those two circumstances, the ancient 
families of both tiiese towns are in a greater or less de- 
gree related by blood to each other." 

But the return of peace brought with it the cheering 
prospect of better times ; and the inhabitants of Newport, 
who were left at the termination of a long, and to them, 
disastrous war, were animated by the consideration that 
America was disenthralled, regenerated and free. Inspired 
by the cheering prospects of the future, they rose up 
amidst the wide-spread ruin around them, and the canvas 
of her merchant ships again whitened the ocean, speed- 
ing their way to foreign ports, or returning laden with 
products of other climes. 

But the fortune of war had so greatly diminished the 



I HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 69 

wealth and enterprise of Newport, bestowing on Provi- 
dence and JNew-York, those immense resources of her 
former power, and for the want of other advantages en- 
joyed by those places, Newport has never been able to 
regain her fomier comparative importance. Providence 
had enjoyed a large and extensive country trade^ and the 
numerous streams of water in its vicinity being soon em- 
ployed in moving machinery for the manufacture of cot- 
ton cloths, gave that town a decided advantage over 
Newport. 

In 1784, Newport was incorporated as a city, and on 
the first day of June, of that year, the first choice of city 
officers was had. This form of government was, how- 
ever, soon abandoned, and the old form of town govern- 
ment returned to, in March, 1787. 

After the Colonies had shaken off the yoke of British 
oppression, and driven from their shores the invading foe, 
it became necessary to form a system of government, a 
civil compact or general government, embracing the 
great interests and common welfare of the several Colo- 
nies. But, in order to effect this, it became requisite 
for each to surrender a portion of their power to the gen- 
eral government. And in conformity to a resolution of 
the general Congress, all the Colonies except Rhode- 
ji Island, chose delegates to meet at Philadelphia, in gen- 
. eral Convention, for the purpose of deliberating upon 
- and forming a Constitution of federal government. 
I Owing to the state of party feelings in Rhode-Island, 
at that lime, we were not represented in that body. The 
motion made in General Assembly for the appointment 
of delef;ates to set in general Convention, was lost by a 
majority of 23 against it. After a form of government 
: was agreed upon by the Convention, and transmitted by 
I them to Congress, recommending that the same be sent 
\ to the several States for their sanction, and that they sev- 
: erally call Conventions for that purpose, the Legislature 
of this Stale thought proper, instead of calling a Conven- 



70 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

tion, to submit it to the freemen of the several towns, to 
be acted upon by them in town-meeting. 

In the preamble to the act of the General Assembly, 
referring it to the several towns, they say, "And whereas 
this legislative body, in General Assembly convened, 
conceiving themselves representatives of the great body 
of the people at large, and that they cannot make any 
innovations on a Constitution which has been agreed on, 
and the compact settled between the government and 
governed, without the express consent of the freemen at 
large, by their own voices individually taken in town- 
meeting assembled." This mode of decision in town- 
meetings was strongly opposed by representatives from 
the commercial towns, but to no effect. 

At a meeting of the freemen of Newport, held agreea- 
bly to the act of Assembly on the 4th Monday in March, 
178S, the day appointed for the several towns in the State 
to hold town-meetings to consider the proposed Constitu- 
tion, the business of the meeting was prefaced by the 
Moderator, by reciting the acts of government which 
were referred to the decision of the people. 

The Constitudon was then read, and the Moderator 
stated the proceedings of the General Assembly upon it, 
since it had been transmitted to them. He also inform- 
ed the town of the uniform conduct of their representa- 
tives, in endeavoring to obtain the appointment of a Con- 
vention ; after which, several gentlemen entered into an 
investigation of the act of Assembly, altering the mode 
of decision from that recommended by the general Con- 
vention to Congress ; and while they paid all possible 
respect to the Legislature who passed the act, the prin- 
ciple on which the act was founded, was reprobated in 
the most unqualified terms. 

The meeting appointed a committee to draft instruc- 
tions to our representatives, to endeavor to have a Con- 
vention called. The meeting was composed of between 
three and four hundred freemen, yet eleven persons only 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 71 

voted on the question. 1 en against and one in favor of 
the Constitution. In Providence, only one person voted, 
and he in the negative. In Warwick and Greenwich, 
the federahsts or friends of the Constitution entered a 
protest against the alteration of the mode of decision, as 
illegal and unprecedented. In Bristol and Little-Comp- 
ton, there was a majority in favor of the Constitution. — 
The other towns generally gave their voice against it. 

The majority against the Constitution throughout the 
State was large, as the Federalists, generally declined 
giving their votes in town-meeting. On counting the 
votes in General Assembly, they stood 2708 nays and 
237 yeas, and a committee was appointed to draft a let- 
ter to the President of Congress, enclosing the returns, 
which letter stated the reasons for adopting a mode dif- 
ferent from that recommended by the General Conven- 
tion, conceded a deficiency in the confederation, and ex- 
pressed a willingness to grant Congress unlimited power, 
for regulating commerce, collecting impost, excise, he. 

The opposers of the Constitution were the uniform 
supporters of the paper money system, which they knew 
must cease, on adopting the Constitution. This, to- 
gether with a jealousy entertained that the General Gov- 
ernment would possess too much power, and if adopted, 
they must rolinquish some privileges now enjoyed, kept 
this State so long from coming into the Union, greatly to 
the dissatisfaction of the commercial and business men of 
the State. This union was not effected until 1790, and 
not until by acts of Congress, the navigation of Rhode- 
Island was placed on a footing with foreign commerce, 
exacting foreign duties and tonnage from our vessels. 

These acts, however, were not strictly enforced by 
Government, who listened to the petitions of our mer- 
chants and the prayers of the General Assembly for relief, 
by the suspension of said acts, from time to time. In 
January, 1790, an act passed in General Assembly for 
callinfT a Convention of the State, which met in Newport 



72 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

the following March, when the Constitution was agreed 
to, and the State came into the confederacy. 

The paper money system was formerly, if not now, a 
matter of party warfare. Governors were elected or 
turned out of office, as the different interests happened to 
prevail. The commercial part of the community were 
always opposed to the system, as it tended greatly to 
embarrass trade, and by its depreciation and constant 
fluctuation, great injustice grew out of the system. Many 
took advantage ot the laws, making it a tender at par, to 
pay debts in depreciated money ; and creditors who had 
parted with their gold and silver, Vv'ere obliged to receive 
this money in return for their debts. 

In 1710, the then Colony of Rhode-Island commenced 
the issue of paper money, to defray the public expenses 
of the war of that year, and after that period, new emis- 
sions were made from time to time, as circumstances re- 
quired. Sometimes paper w^as issued to replenish the 
treasury, sometimes to loan the people on mortgage, until 
the increasing amount issued, caused it almost constantly 
to depreciate in current value ; and as the money de- 
creased in value, the emissions were increased, until about 
1749, the General Assembly was restricted by Parlia- 
ment from making any more, except under certain limi- 
tations. The various emissions from time to time, were, 
as the time for which they w^ere issued expired, called in 
and sunk, it generally being made redeemable in some 
given time. It has been estimated that in 1748, there 
was in circulation in this State, in what was called old 
tenor, £500.000. By a report of a committee to the 
General Assembly, in 1749, they made the outstanding 
bills at that time, -£320,444. 2. 3 1-2. 

By a report of a committee to the General Assembly, 
in 1764, in answer to the enquiry of the Lords Commis- 
sioners of trade, it appears there was then in circulation, 
£40,000 in bills issued to carry on the war, equal to 
£30,000 sterling ; about two thirds of which sum must 
be called in and sunk in a year from that time, after 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 73 

which they say, £13,000 only of the hills issued to de- 
fray the expense of the war, will be in circulation, and 
these, with the small remainder of old tenor bills that 
shall be outstanding, will come to a final end in 1767. 

By an act of Assembly, Sept. 1770, ihe circulation of 
the old tenor bills was prohibited. They were to be 
brought into the treasury and exchanged for treasury- 
notes, at the rate of £8 old tenor, for one dollar. In 
May, 1775, the State having voted to raise troops, issued 
£20,000 in bills on interest at 2 1-2 percent, and made 
them a tender for all debts, 6s. 9d. to the silver ounce. — 
In August of this year, the Continental bills, of which 
there w^re beginning to be large emissions by Congress, 
w^ere made a tender at 6s. per dollar. 

Emissions of paper were now frequently made by the 
Colony, and those persons who should undervalue the 
bills, were declared enemies to the public weal, and every 
possible exertion was made, during the revolutionary 
war, to sustain their credit and keep up their value. In 

1776, a committee of the New-England States recom- 
mended them to emit no more bills of credit, unless abso- 
lutely necessary ; but to tax or borrow, and if they did 
emit money, to issue bills on interest at 4 per cent. The 
General Assembly approved this plan, and ordered 
£40,000 to be hired in notes payable in two years. In 

1777, they ordered £50,000 lawful money to be hired, 
and notes given on interest for the same, at 4 per cent. 

These notes at first were made a legal tender, but was 
afterward repealed, and all contracts were to be paid in 
specie. In 1778 and 1782, acts were passed for consol- 
idating the paper money, and ordering all notes and bills 
to be brought into the treasury, and interest calculated at 
6 per cent, from June, 1778, when they were struck out 
of circulation, and new notes given on interest. 

On the return of peace, in 1783, there was very little 

gold and silver in circulation, and nothing to sup[)ly its 

place, as a circulating medium. It was customary for 

the merchants to pay the mechanics and laborers in their 

7 



74 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

employ, in tea, sugar, coffee, he, which they were 
obhged to take to market and exchange with the farmers 
for provisions. And so difficult was it to raise money, 
that the farmers suffered greatly in having cattle taken 
from them, and sold for payment of taxes. 

This State, from its local situation, was exposed dur- 
ing the war, to the frequent incursions of the enemy. — 
These incursions were repelled chiefly by the militia oi 
Rhode-Island, under the direction and at the expense (ini 
the first instance) of the State. " By reason of whichj 
Rhode-Island incurred a much larger debt than perhaps 
any of her aister States, in proportion to her estimated 
rate in the valuation of the United States."* A commit- 
tee appointed by the General Assembly to inquire into 
the state of the public securities due from the Stale, re-i 
ported a debt of £153,047. 15. 9 1-2, of which £106,- 
976. 11. 3 1-2, was on interest at 6 percent, for treasury 
notes issued for soldiers' wages — depreciation of soldiers' 
wages, debts due for confiscated estates, for money loan- 
ed, &:c. Sec. ; and £46,071. 4. 6. of which was on inter- 
est at 4 per cent, and was for debts due from government, 
in 1777. 

In May, 1786, the paper money party having prevail- 
ed and chosen their candidate for Governor, he, an act 
was passed for emitting £100,000 lawful money, in bills 
of credit, and making the same a legal tender at par, 
for the payment of debts. The 6 percent, debt was 
consolidated by a scale of depreciation to real money, at 
6 shillings per dollar, and by an act of Assembly, was to 
be paid in the paper emission of 1786, at its nominal 
value ; although that had already depreciated to 48^. for 
a dollar. It was proposed to consolidate the 4 per cent, 
debt at 40 for 1, and payable in the same emission at its 
nominal value. 

In October, 1789, the value of bills emitted in 1786, 
was made 15 paper dollars for one of silver. But gold 

* Report of a Committee to the General Assembly. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 75 

and silver being very scarce, and considering tlie imprac- 
ticability of discharging debts in specie, it was enacted 
that real estate of not less value than £40, and personal 
property within the State, might be substituted in the 
payment of debts under certain restrictions. The Gov- 
ernor, in his message to the General Assembly, in Oct. 
1791, speaking of the State debt, says, " This debt was 
wholly incurred during the late war, in the common de- 
fence of the nation." 

" After peace took place, it was found by experience 
impracticable to discharge it in the ordinary mode of taxes 
in gold and silver, recourse was had to paper money ; 
this was issued in 1786. The holders of State securities 
were required to receive it in payment on penalty of for- 
feiting the whole amount of their respective demands. — 
Owing to the unhappy divisions that prevailed, it suffered 
an unusual depreciation, but payments in paper were 
raade to nearly the amount of £79,000, and securities to 
the amount of about £48,000 were lodged in the Gene- 
ral Treasury, in consequence of the requisition of the 
Legislature for bringing them in for the paper money. 

The specie value of the payments thus made in paper, 
was only about one sixth part, or perhaps less, of the 
nominal value, from the great depreciation of the paper 
money. And finally at the rate of about 15 for I, it be- 
came indispensably necessary for the Legislature to inter- 
pose. And as an appreciation of the paper at par, in the 
greatly depreciated state, would have been productive of 
as much, or perhaps more injustice, than its depreciation, 
the Legislature had no alternative but to arrest it as it 
was ; to repeal the tender and declare that it should finally 
be redeemed at the rate of 15 for 1. And an act for 
this purpose was passed in October, 1789. 

In August, last year, Congress assumed 21,500,000 
dollars of the debt of the several States, including in the 
assumption, 200,000 dollars of the debt of this State, and 
as the sum assumed is charged by the United States to 
the State, from which it is assumed, if the Legislature 



JQ HISTORICAL discourse:. 

bad not interposed, those who did not comply with the- 
requisition for receiving the paper money, would have 
received the whole benefit of this assumjition, and a real- 
ization of the greatest part of their securities, while those 
that did comply, would not only lose five-sixths of their 
demands, but must have contributed their full proportion 
to the paying the whole amount of the securities, which 
bad been confiscated as before meniioned." In obedience 
to acts of the General Assembly of this State of January 
and June of 1795, making provision for the transfer of 
the stock of the United States belonging to this State to 
the individual creditors thereof, the General Treasurer 
reported as due for certificates issued for various kinds of 
debts incurred during the revolution, and for consolidating 
the paper money and securities issued for paper money, 
and for sinking the 4 per cent, notes, and including 
notes issued previous to the revolution, Slc, the sum 
of $503,594 76, of which 5-6 or f 419,662 30, was 
issuable m certificates for funded stock of the United 
States, and 1-6 or $83,932 46, in State certificates un- 
provided for. 

In February, 1803, the General Treasurer reported 
the above $83,932 46, together with additional claims 
brought in, and allowed by the State from time to time, 
making in all a registered State debt of $163,163 71. — 
Which debt was afterward from time to time reduced, 
until June 1801. By his report, it appeared there was 
a balance of principle and interest then due, of $120,949 
04. And in a subsequent report in 1807, he reported 
$10,680 14, more of said balance as paid. But a large 
proportion of said balance, remains to this day, unpaid. 

Rhode-island, like most of her sister States of New- 
England, was formerly a slave-holding State. The Afri- 
can slave-trade was extensively carried on by the people 
of Newport, and much of her wealth in former times, was 
derived from this trade. Most of the families were slave- 
holders, and owned more or less of this kind of property. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 77 

In 1784, the General Assembly passed an act, author- 
izing the manumission of negroes, mulattoes, &ic., and 
provided that no persons, negroes, or mulattoes, born in 
ihe State, after the first day of the year 1784, shall be 
slaves for life. The Assembly also repealed the clause 
contained in an act passed in 1774, permitting slaves 
brought from Africa to the West Indies on board any 
vessel belonging to tliis then Colony, and that could not 
be disposed of in the West Indies, to be brought to this 
State ; and provided that in future no negro or mulatto 
be brought into this State to be sold or disposed of as a 
slave. 

The Friends of New-England, as a Society, interested 
themselves to accomplish the abolition of slavery, and 
when taken into consideration by the people of Rhode- 
Island, it was found not to be congenial with our free in- 
stitutions. 

The late Dr. Samuel Hopkins, of Newport, some years 
before the revolutionary w^ar, raised his voice against this 
traffic in human blood, and in a sermon preached by 
him, publicly advocated its abolition. Situated as he 
was, in the midst of a population deriving much of their^ 
wealth from this business, he nobly dared to show the 
people their transgression, and the house of Israel their 
sins. Nor were his efforts unavaihng. He so far suc- 
ceeded as to induce many of the members of his Church 
to free their slaves : and finally as a body to pass resolu- 
tions disapproving the trade, and declaring that they 
would not tolerate it. 

In 1787, the Legislature of Rhode-Island passed an 
act to prevent the slave-trade from bein^ carried on from 
this State, and for the encouragement of the abolition of 
slavei-y altogether, with in it. 

Rhode-Island is justly entitled to the honor of success- 
fully contending with the mother country, in the manu- 
facture of cotton cloths, and operating successfully the 
first machinery, by water power, in this country. The 

7* 



73 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

Rev. George S. White, has recently published a memoir 
of Samuel Slater, Esq. and a history of manufactures, 
from which we are made acquainted with the early his- 
tory of manufacturing in Rhode-Island, and the discour- 
agements and disadvantages it had to contend with in its 
infancy. The following account of the manufacture of* 
cotton in its commencement and progress, is from that 
work : — 

" The State of Rhode-Island justly claims the honor 
of being one of the earliest seats of the mechanic arts, and 
of manufactures on this side the Atlantic. It was the in- 
variable and settled policy of Great Britain, to keep her 
Colonies dependent upon her for every article she possi- 
bly could, with which she could supply them. This 
policy prevented the introduction of machinery and all 
mechanical operations and improvements. Chatham 
said, " He would not have the Americans make a hob- 
nail." It was this that occasioned a great part of the 
sufferings of the American army, during the war of the 
revolution. So entirely dependent had we been on Eng- 
land, for supplying our wants, that being without domes- 
tic manufactures, our troops often suffered for clothing 
and other necessaries of life. For many years after the 
settlement of this country, our people were employed in 
bringing their lands into a state of cultivation, and no at- 
tention was paid to manufactures. And when at last a 
few coarse and imperfect articles were manufactured, we 
were viewed by Great Britain with a jealous and suspi- 
cious eye, and she immediately adopted a rigid and sys- 
tematic course of restrictions, on Colonial manufactures. 

In 1719, the -House of Commons declared, ''That 
the erecting of manufactories in the Colonies, tended to 
lessen their dependence on Great Britain." When we 
had achieved our independence and taken our stand 
among the nations, a new market was opened for all 
commercial countries, as well as England, and the man- 
ufactures of those nations were crowded into the United 
States ; and the products of our soil being called for by 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 79 

Europe, the activity of our commerce caused our mer- 
chants to flourish. 

These, by furnishing a market, enriched the farmers, 
and enabled them to give great prices for European and 
India goods, and nothing of consequence was done in do- 
mestic manufactures. From an account of manufacturing 
cotton in Rhode-Island, furnished Mr. White by William 
Anthony, we learn that about 178S, Daniel Anthony, 
Andrew Dexter, and Lewis Peck, all of Providence, en- 
tered into an agreement to make what W'as then called, 
*' Home-spun cloth." The idea at first, was to spin by 
hand, and make jeans with linen warp and cotton fil- 
hngs. 

But hearing of a model of machinery imported from 
England, which was at Bridgewatcr, iVIass., where at- 
tempts were then making to manufacture ; drawings of 
this were obtained, but which were soon laid aside, the 
model being imperfect, and said to be taken from one of 
the first of the kind built in England. They then pro- 
ceded to build a machine of a different construction, cal- 
led a jenny ; a model of which was brought from Eng- 
land to Beverly. This jenny had 23 spindles, which 
was finished in 1787, and set up first in a private house, 
but afterward was removed to tiie Market-House cham- 
ber, in Providence. 

Joshua Laidley, of Providence, then built a carding 
machine for cotton, from a draft from Beverly. It con- 
tained eight heads of four spindles each, making thirty- 
two spindles, worked by hand with a crank. In 1788, 
Joseph Alexander and James M'Kerris, arrived at 
Providence, from Scotland. They were weavers, and 
understood the fly shuttle. They were employed to 
weave corduroy, one at Providence, the other at East- 
Greenwich, and a loom built under the direction of Mr. 
Alexander, was put in operation in the Market-House 
chamber, in Providence. This was the first fly shuttle 
ever used in Rhode-Island. 

The spinning frame which was obtained from the 



go HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

Bridgevvater model, and which had been laid aside, was 
carried to Pawtucket and attached to a wiieel propelled 
by water. The work was too laborious to be turned by- 
hand, and the machine too imperfect to be turned by 
w-ater. It was soon after sold to Moses Brown, of Prov- 
idence. Thus as the machinery was worked by hand, 
the manufacture was imperfect, and little could be done. 

About the time this machinery was put in operation, 
Herman Vandouser, a German, came to East-Greenwich 
and undertook the business of calico printing, that being 
his trade. His object was, to print for the people gener- 
ally. The calico looked much like that imported from 
India in that day, and not much, if any, inferior to that 
cloth. It was, however, found to be cheaper to import, 
and they were given up. 

So imperfect w^as all the machinery in use in America 
previous to the year 1790, as to preclude the manufacture 
of cotton cloth, or cotton yarn for warps, and it was 
thought desirable to import cotton yarn from India ; but 
the machinery was inadequate, and its operations deficient 
and expensive. Under such embarrassments it w^as im- 
possible for American manufactures to compete with for- 
eign goods, introduced by British agents and American 
merchants, even when they received legislative aid, as was 
the case at Beverly, Mass. Every attempt to spin cotton 
w^arp, or twist, or any other yarn by water power, until 
1790, had totally failed. Massachusetts had made ma- 
ny attempts, incipient and imperfect, at manufacturing 
cotton. 

Aware of the importance of better machinery, which 
they knew was in successful operation in England, they 
had endeavored to obtain a model of the Arkwright pa- 
tent, but were unable, in consequence of the heavy and 
severe penalties imposed by the British government on 
the exportation of mechanism. At this gloomy period in 
the history of American manufactures, a great and im- 
portant change was now to succeed, when all the old, 
imperfect machinery was to be laid aside, and the long^ 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. Qi 

desired superior Arkwright machinery was to take its 
place. 

Samuel Slater was born in the town ofBelpar, in Der- 
byshire, Enghind, ihe 9th of June, 1768. Wlien about 
fourteen years old, ho went to live with .Tcdediah Strutt, 
Esq. a partner of Sir Richard Aikwright in tlie cotton 
spinning business, witii whom Mr. Slater continued until 
1789. During four or five of the last years, his time 
was solely devoted as a general overseer, both as respects 
making machinery and the manufacturing department. 
In 1789, he left England and came to New-York. 

After an int;fiectual attempt to procure employment, 
he addressed a letter to Moses Brown, of Providence, 
stating what he thought could be done in machinery, 
offering his services, wliich were accepted, and he came 
to Providence in 1790. He did net bring with him from 
England, any model, drawings or writings, of any des- 
cription, except his indentures to Mv. Strutt, which he 
concealed about him, for fear of being stopped from leav- 
ing England. He did not let any of his friends know of 
his intention, and not until he was ready to embark, did 
he drop a letter into ti^e Post-Office, informing them of 
his destination. He came to this country without rec- 
ommendation and without patronage, depending entirely 
on his own memory and knowledge of machinery, with a 
full and decided plan to construct and erect the Ark- 
wright machinery in the United States; and without the 
aid of any one, who had ever seen such machinery, did 
actually, from his own personal knowledge and skill, put 
in motion the whole series of Arkwright patents ; and 
he put them in such perfect operation, as to produce 
yarn and cotton cloth of various descriptions, equal to 
any article of the kind produced in England at that time. 
So complete was his success, notwithstanding all the dis- 
advantages he labored under, that in fourteen months 
from the time he commenced his labors, IMoses Brown 
informed the Secretary of the Treasury, that machinery 
and mills could be erected within one year, to supply the 



99 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

whole United States with yarn, and render the importa- 
tion unnecessary. 

Mr. Slater claims to have established the first Sabbath 
school in New-England. He introduced Sunday school 
instruction in his mill, a system which had obtained in 
the mills of Strutt and Arkwright, previous to the time 
Mr. Slater left England. These schools, the first of the 
kind in America, were copied and extended with the 
factories, and ultimately prompted establishments of a 
similar character in our seaports." Sabbath schools were 
first introduced in Providence from Pawtucket in 1815. 
They were first considered charity schools, and but few 
children, save from the poorest classes of the community, 
could be prevailed on to attend ; and for the instruction 
of these, their teachers received a regular compensation. 
Subsequently, several religious denominations embarked 
in the Sabbath school enterprise. But this, like all oth- 
er benevolent and moral enterprises in its infancy, had a 
fiery ordeal to pass. Many good men hesitated, and even 
entertained conscientious scruples concerning its influence 
on the proper observance of the Sabbath, and the civil 
institutions of our country. Legislators and statesmen, 
with feverish political sagacity saw, or imagined they 
saw, in this enterprise, a union of church and state ; and 
the whole system was condemned, as a system of priest- 
craft and fanaticism. But God has silenced every objec- 
tion, and stamped the broad seal of heaven on this holy 
and benevolent enterprise. 

Now it has become, in the estimation of the patriot, 
the philanthropist and statesman, no less than the 
Christian, the public guardian of the Sabbath, and the 
saviour of our country. Who, that values the blessings 
of civil and religious h^eedom, can dwell on the transport- 
ing fact, without the sincerest emotions of gratitude to 
God, that on each succeeding Sabbath, more than a mil- 
lion of the children and youth of this country are brought 
under the influence of Sabbath school instruction — under 
the influence of principles, which not only teach, but 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. g3 

qualify them, to discharge their duty to themselves, their 
country, and their God. 

More than tliirty thousand teachers and fifty thousand 
scholars have been hopefully bon verted to God, in this 
country, through the instrumentality of Sabbath schools ! 
What a mighty moral influence is constantly going forth 
from this institution, to purify this nation from their 
sins. What an army of holy, evangelical ministers 
have been raised up here, who now stand on the high 
places in Zion. What a host of self-denying mission- 
aries of the cross first caught the celestial fire of love 
to the dying heathen, within the hallowed walls of this 
sacred institution. From this nursery of piety and mor- 
als, we are to look for a race of men, whose minds 
shall not only be cultivated by science, but imbued 
with the spirit' and principles of truth. J\Ien who shall 
feel the power, and act under the influence, of moral 
principle, in the discharge of their duty to themselves, 
their country and their God. Men, whose influence 
shall counteract the rapid growth of infidelity, the de- 
secration of the Sabbath, the increase of Romanism, 
and guard with unyielding fidelity the constitutional 
rights of the people. ]\Ien, who shall maintain unim- 
paired, those great principles of civil and religious free- 
dom, bequeathed us by our ancestors as a legacy of 
blood, and save the ark of our national covenant from 
the polluted hands of aspiring political demagogues. 

" Most of the cotton manufacturing establishments in 
our country from 1790 to 1809, were built by men 
who had either directly or indirectly drawn their know- 
ledge of the business from Pawtucket, the cradle of 
American manufactures. Our manufactures have had 
to contend with very great difficulties, the greatest of 
which, however, has been the want of encouragement 
from the Americans themselves, who preferred foreign 
manufactures to those of their own country. . 

The war of 1812 did not diminish, but rather in- 
crease this desire ; and on the return of peace, in 



g4 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

1815, the country was flooded with every description 
of foreign goods, which reduced the price of domestic 
manufactures at least one third of their previous value, 
and greatly discouraged our infant establishments, 
some of which were ruined, and many companies fail- 
ed, involving their enterprising owners in bankruptcy. 
To the undaunted perseverance of a few of those es- 
tablishments, amidst the wide-spread ruin around them, 
we are indebted for the present progress and triumph 
of our improved manufactures. 

By the introduction of the latest and most improved 
machinery, with the advantages of New-England water 
power, they have survived every shock, surmounted every 
obstacle, and triumphed over every difficulty. Irish lin- 
ens and India cottons, which once supplied our market, 
are now but little known. An immense quantity of cot- 
ton cloths lire sold at very low prices in all parts of the 
Union, both plain and printed. Large exportations are 
made to Soutli America, where they are held in high re- 
pute, and command the market over British and India 
goods. 

Samuel Slater, the father of our manufactures, lived to 
see this astonishing change, and the successful consum- 
mation of what he had at first introduced by unwavering 
firmness, under various and complicated discouragements, 
now unknown. He commenced with 72 spindles, in a 
clothiers' shop, in Pawtucket ; nor could he find a ready 
market after he had spun his yarn, at that time, in Amer- 
ica. 

Previous to 1815, the whole of the weaving was done 
by the hand-loom, and great quantities of cloth were pro- 
duced for home consumption. Judge Lyman, of Provi- 
dence, had attempted to construct the power loom, but 
his efforts were unsuccessful, and on hearing of a Mr. 
Gilmore, who had come from England, in 1814, he, with 
several other gentlemen, employed him to build the 
power loom and dresser, from patterns which he had 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 85 

brought with him from England ; which he accompHshed 
to the perfect satisfaction of his employers. 

They were soon introduced into Pawtucket, and Mr. 
David Wilkinson, an ingenious and enterprising me- 
chanic of that place, made them as an article of sale. — 
The hand-loom was immediately superceded, and now no 
one in the manufacturing districts, thinks of using them 
any more than the old fashioned one thread spinning 
wheel." Previous to the revolution, there was an iron 
foundry in Rhode-Island, which, during the war, was 
employed in casting cannon. Other branches of manu- 
factures have been, and still are, carried on lo a great ex- 
tent in this State. 

Recently, the manufacture of jewelry was extensively 
conducted in Providence, and great quantities exported. 
Hats, shoes, leather, he, are manufactured in the State, 
which, together with her extensive manufactures of cot- 
ton and woollen goods, afford employment for many of 
our inhabitants. And for industry, enterprise, and perse- 
verance, Rhode-Island yields to none of her sister States. 

In 1812, the American Government formally declared 
war with Great Britain, when Newport was again expos- 
ed to all the apprehensions of being visited by an invad- 
ing hostile foe, whose ships of war were frequently seen 
during its continuance, hovering round her shores. A 
memorial was sent from this tcwn to the General Gov- 
ernment, setting forth our exposed and defenceless con- 
dition, in case of an invasion. 

Our militia and independent companies were all we 
had to depend upon for protection and defence, for some 
time after war was declared, the Government having 
drawn awa}^ the United States troops stationed in the forts 
of our harbor. But notwithstanding this, the inhabitants 
were resolved to repel any attempts made by the enemy, 
and our little forces were ever ready to repair to their posts 
on any alarm. 

On the 6th of December, the inhabitants of Newport 
had the satisfaction of seeing the British frigate Mace- 
8 



^ HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

donian arrive in our harbor, a prize to the American 
frigate United States, Capt. Decatur. 

Her wounded were landed at Coaster's harbor, and at 
the hospital on that Island, they received every attention 
which their situation required. At the commencement of 
hostilities, the British blockaded the coast of America. — 
At first the Southern coast, but afterward it extended as 
far North as the East end of Long-lslimd Sound. This 
gave the ports of Massachusetts and Rhode- Island, the 
advantages of the neutral trade, until the blockade of the 
whole American coast. 

Newport, for a while, enjoyed a large share of the 
trade, and the arrival and departure of the neutral ves- 
sels, the sale of their cargoes, &ic., gave employment to 
many of our citizens. The inhabitants of Newport, re- 
collecting the destruction of their registry during the war 
of the revolution, took the precaution to send from the 
Island, the records of the town, made since the revolu- 
tion. They were deposited with the town of South 
Kingstown, for safe keeping, where they remained until 
peace was again proclaimed. The Banks of Newport, 
also, removed their specie from this town. 

In 1813, Capt. Oliver H. Perry left Newport with a 
detachment of seamen from the gun boats in this harbor, 
to take command of the American squadron on Lake 
Erie, where, on the 10th of September, after a most des- 
perate engagement, he achieved a splendid victory over 
the whole British fleet on that lake. When Capt. Perry 
arrived at the lake, government had neither men nor 
ships at that place. 

He immediately commenced building a squadron, in 
which he achieved his victory, and prepared the way for 
the future success of our Western army. The victory of 
our fellow townsman was hailed in this town, with the 
greatest enthusiasm ; and on his return to Newport, he 
was received with every demonstration of respect. Lieu- 
tenants William V. Taylor and Daniel Turner, also our 
fellow townsmen, who were with him in the battle, shared 
with their gallant commander, in the tribute paid to valor. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 87 

On the 4tli of October, 1813, a small British privateer 
called the Dart, which iiad been hovering about our har- 
bor, was seen having in company a sliip, brig, and schoon- 
er, which she had detained. The revenue cutter 
Vigilant, Capt. John Cahoone, was manned with volun- 
teers from this town, and seamen from the gun boats, 
and went out in pursuit of her. They soon came up 
with, and carried her, after a slight resistance, and 
brought her into Newport. The first Lieut, of the 
Dart was killed. The capture of this privateer was un- 
questionably the means of saving a large amount of pro- 
perty from being captured. 

In December, the President of the United States, in a 
message to Congress, says, " The tendency of our com- 
mercial and navigation laws in their present state, to favor 
the enemy, and tiiereby prolong the war, is more and 
more developed by experience. Supplies of the most 
essential kind find their way, not only to British ports and 
Britisli armies at a distance, but the armies in our neigh- 
borhood with which our own are contending, derive from 
our ports and outlets, a subsistence attainable with diffi- 
culty, if attainable at all from other sources. 

Even the fleets and troops infesting our coasts and 
waters, are by like supplies accommodated and encour- 
aged in their predatory and incursive warfare." An em- 
bargo was immediately laid by Congress on all vessels, 
except neutrals, which were permitted to depart, provided, 
they carried with them nothing but sea stores. So rigo- 
rous was the embargo, that coasting from one town to 
another in the same State, was subjected to the most 
I strict and severe scrutiny from officers of the revenue. 
I The crews of the coasting vessels in our harbor, at the 
time the embargo was laid, shouldered their packs, and 
leaving their vessels, returned home. The embargo at 
once put an end to the piosperity and business appear- 
ance of Newport, which soon relaxed into dulness and 
inactivity. This monotony, however, was occasionally 
relieved by an alarm. On the 30th of May, 1814, a 



88 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

Swedish brig from St. Barts, attempting to violate the 
blockade, was chased on shore by the British brig of war 
Nimrod, in the East Passage, on Smith's beach. The 
next morning the Nimrod came to anchor about a mile 
from shore, and sent a barge to set fire to the brig, which 
they effectually accomplished without loss. 

Every exertion was made by the militia of Middle- 
town, the 3d company from Newport, and a detachment 
of seamen from the United States flotilla, to prevent it, 
but having nothing but small arms with them, their efforts 
were ineffectual. The Nimrod fired about 200 cannon 
balls, one of which killed Mr. John Smith, of the Mid- 
dletown militia, and took off the leg of Isaac Bassett, a 
seaman belondno^ to the flotilla. 

A few days previous to this, the barges of the Nimrod 
had chased two sloops on shore in the East Passage ; but 
the militia of Little Compton, having assembled in con- 
siderable numbers, they were prevented from taking pos- 
session of them. The sloops were got off, and proceed- 
ed up the river. 

In June, 1814, the General Assembly passed an act 
authorizing the town-councils of the several seaport 
towns, to cause the shipping to be removed from their 
wharves and harbors, whenever by them it should be 
thought advisable. The town-council of Newport, ac- 
cordingly ordered the shipping to be removed from New- 
port, lest it should be an inducement for the enemy to 
visit us. 

In July, the Artillery Company of the town of New- 
port, under command of Col. Fry, took possession of 
Fort Green, at the North end of Washington-street, on 
the Point, by an arrangement with the U. S. Govern- 
ment. Col. Fry was to have the entire command of the 
ort, and the company to be under the control of the 
Governor of the State. 

The entrance of the harbor was also garrisoned about 
this time, by the enlisted State corps, under command of 
Col. John Wood. These posts were occupied until the 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 89 

proclamation of peace. Tiie news of peace reached this 
town on the morning of the i4tii of February, 1S15. — 
The joy of the inha!)itants was expiessed cluiing the day, 
by the rinL^ing of beHs, the roar of cannon, and the display 
of the mihtary. In the evening, a most splendid and 
general illumination of the town took place, and a dis- 
play of paper lanterns with emblematic devices, suspend- 
ed in the streets, which notwithstanding the great quan- 
tity of snow in them, were thoroughly promenaded by 
almost every man, woman, and child, in the place. — 
Similar denumstrations of joy took place n nearly every 
town in the Stale. 

This war, although short in duration, was signalized by 
a rapid succession of naval victories on the ocean and 
the lake=? ; and disappointed the predictions of those 
who asserted that she who sat as queen upon the waters, 
would in a few months, sweep our infant navy from the 
bosom of the ocean. But the testimony of the proud 
mistress of the ocean herself, is the best tribute of respect 
to the skill of our officers, the valor of our crews, and 
the magnitude of our power. 

At a meeting of the merchants, manufacturers, ship- 
owners, and underwriters, in the city of Glasgow, in 
1814, it was declared by them, " There is reason to be- 
lieve in the short space of twenty-four months, above 
eight hundred vessels have been captured by a power 
whose maratime strength we have hitherto held in con- 
tempt. I'he number of privateers that infest our coast, 
and the audacity with which they approach our shores, 
and their success, is humiliating to our pride." And they 
further say, " Our nation have declared the whole coast 
of America in blockade, and it is mortifying that oui: 
ships cannot traverse our own channels in safety. In- 
surance cannot be effected, but at an excessive premium."" 
Rhode-island can justly boast of having furnished a 
iGreen for her country, in the war of the revolution, who,, 
in rank and generalship, was second to none, save th& 
immortal Washington himself. And the war of 181^ 
3# 



90 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

brought forth, and contributed to her country's glory, the 
mighty energies of her gallant Perry. 

Mr. Hunter, who was then our Senator in Congress, 
in a speech in the Senate of the United States, on the re-' 
solutions complimentary of Commodore Perry's victory, 
said, " While I hold in my hand this resolution, expres-. 
sive of a nation's gratitude toward this naval youthful 
Rhode-Island hero, for his deliverance of the West, I 
can point the other to the likeness of that illustrious 
Rhode-Island veteran, (alluding to the likeness of Gen. 
Green, in the Senate) who in the sacred war of the rev- 
olution, saved the South, and accelerated and ascertained 
the independence of his country." 

Commodore Perry died in the 34th year of his age, 
August 23d, A. D. 1819, on board the United States 
schooner Nonsuch, at tlie moment the schooner was en- 
tering the harbor of Port Spain, in the Island of Trini- 
dad. He died of the yellow fever, contracted at Angos- 
tura, where he had been transacting business for our Gov- 
ernment. His remains were interred on the 24th, at 
Port Spain, with every mark of respect, from Sir Ralph 
Woodford, Governor of Trinidad, and the inhabitants of 
the place. The body was landed from the John Adams, 
where it had been removed from the schooner, under a 
salute of minute guns from that ship. When it reached 
the shore, the Fort of St. Andrews continued the cere- 
mony, until the long procession, accompanied by the 
band of tlie 3d West India regiment, playing the dead 
march in Saul, reached the burial place. 

After the funeral, the following Card was published by 
the American officers : — 

" The officers ofthe United States vessels John Adams and Non- 
such, tender their grateful acknowledgments to the inhabitants of 
Port Spain, for their kind and respectful attention to the funeral | 
rites bestowed on the body of their late commander, Commodore ' 
Perry. The disposition manifested by all classes, was highly in 
unison with their feelings, and merits their warmest thanks." 

Commodore Perry, at the time of his death, was en- 
gaged in executing the duties of a *' highly flattering 



I 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 91 

command, involving diplomatic and naval functions of 
critical nicety and importance." President Monroe, in 
his message to Congress, in December following, refer- 
ring to several acts and orders for the protection of our 
commerce, and the suppression of the slave-trade, says, 
"In the execution of the duty imposed by these acts, and 
of high trust connected with it, it is with deep regret I 
have to state the loss which has been sustained by the 
death of Commodore Perry. His gallantry in a brilliant 
exploit, in the late war, added to the renown of his coun- 
try ; his death is deplored as a national misfortune." 

Soon after the death ol Commodore Perry, the Legis- 
lature of Rhode-Island by their resolution, requested the 
Hon. Benjamin Hazard, of this town, to compose and 
publish his biography, which it is greatly to be re- 
gretted that gentleman has not complied with. — 
It is to be hoped, however, that one so eminently 
qualified to do justice to the subject, both by his literary 
advantages and his intimate acquaintance with the gallant 
Commodore, while living, will yet favor his country and 
posterity, by complying with the request of the Legisla- 
ture.* 

The remains of Commodore Perry arrived at Newport, 
from Trinidad, in the sloop of war Lexington, on Mon- 
day the 27th of November, 1826, and on Monday fol- 
lowing, the 4th of December, were interred in the com- 
mon burial place in this town, with the honors due to his 
rank and character. 

The military companies of Providence, Pawtucket, 

♦In June, 1818, the General Assembly of Rhode-Island, by their 
resolve, appointed Benjamin Hazard and William C. Gibbs, Esc|rs. 
a committee with instructions to collect and deposite in the Secreta- 
ry's office, all the documents and memorials necessary to preserve 
entire the history of tiie brilliant evenis achieved by Commodore 
Perry, on Lake Erie, comprehending the exertions of that officer, in 
creating as it were, under every discouragement, the means which 
insured his success ; and also the details of the action — and that ther 
also request Commodore Perry, in the name of the General Assem- 
bly, to sit for his portrait to Gilbert Stuart. Commodore Perry ac- 
cordingly set to Siuart, but Mr. Stuart never finished the picture 



92 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE, 

and Bristol, attended the procession, witli the companies 
of Newport. Tlie Govcumor, and other officers ol' State, 
with several distinguished naval and military officers, were 
present, and the vast assemblage of our citizens testified 
their respect to the character of our fallen fellow towns- 
man. The State of Rhode-Island has since erected a 
monument in honor of the memory of this lamented and 
gallant officer. 

The 23d of September, 1815, is rendered memorable 
by a most awful and destructive storm, which swept 
away and laid prostrate, almost every thing in its course. 
The Newport Mercury says, " The gale commenced 
early in the morning, at N. E., and continued increasing 
in violence, ilje wind varying from N. E. to S. E. and 
S. W., until about 11 o'clock, when it be^an to abate, 
and about 1 o'clock, the danger from the wind and tide 
was over." At Newport, the tide rose three feet and 
a half higher than it had ever been known before. 

Two dwelling houses and nine stores and workshops, 
on the Long-wharf, were swept away by the violence of 
the wind and waves; and those that withstood the power 
of this desolating scourge, were rendered almost untena- 
ble, by the vessels, lumber, &ic., driving against them. — 
Several of the stores carried away, contained a consider- 
able amount of property, nearly the whole of which was 
lost. 

In one of the houses carried away from the Long-wharf, 
five persons perished. The wharves on the Point, with 
most of the stores on them, were carried away.. The 
wharves also, in other parts of the town, with the stores 
on them, sustained considerable injury, and every thing 
moveable on the wharves, was swept away. In some of 
the stores, the water was four feet deep. A large three 
story store, containing hemp, flour, &c., was lilted from 
its foundation and floated into the harbor. The steeples 
of the first and second Congregational Churches were 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. Q^ 

partly blown down, and the roofs of the Episcopal and 
first Congregational Churches were partly carried away. 

After the storm, it was found that the out-side of win- 
dows, in the houses of this town, were covered with a 
fine salt, conveyed from the ocean tlirough the air. This 
was also noticed for many miles inland, after the gale. — 
The shipping in the harbor were driven from their an- 
chorage, and went ashore. Some lying side of the 
wharves were lifted on them by the violence of the wind 
and tide, and left. Four sloops were lifted on the Long- 
wharf, and a sloop loaded with wood, went over the 
wharf into the cove. 

The stone bridge, connecting the Island with Tiverton 
on the main, was greatly injured and rendered wholly 
impassable. The draw and toll-house were carried 
away ; a new channel about three hundred feet wide, 
was made at the West end of the bridge, and where the 
toll-house had stood, the water was thirty feet deep at 
low tide. The light-house on Point Judith was swept 
away, with several other houses, in its vicinity. The 
Rhode-Island Republican, says, " So great and general 
has been the devastation of property, that it is found im- 
possible to give a correct account of the extent of damage." 

Providence suffered severely by the storm ; the tide 
rising twelve feet higher than spring tides, inundated the 
streets in various parts of the town. It extended in 
Westminster-street, a considerable distance beyond where 
Grace Church now stands ; so that the lives of many 
families, particularly on the West side, were in the most 
imminent danger. Vessels were thrown into the streets, 
men were seen flying in every direction, for protection for 
tliemselves, or braving the violence of the storm, for those 
they loved. Many families were driven to the upper 
rooms of their houses, where with the most fearful ap- 
prehensions, they listened to the war of the elements 
without, and witnessed the wide spread havoc around 
them. Many women and children were rescued from, 
their chamber windows. 



94 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

Weybosset Bridge was entirely swept away : everyj 
vessel but two, in the harbor, were driven from their 
moorings, and tliirty-five sail were driven on shore at the 
head of the cove, above the bridge. Scarcely a vestige 
of the spacious stores which crowded the wharves bor- 
dering on Weybosset-street, remained, and most of those; 
South of the market to India Point, shared the same fate., 

The third story of the Washington Insurance office; 
was severely injured, by being perforated with the bow- 
sprit of a ship. The Rev. Mr. Williams's meeting- 
house sustained great injury, and the Second Baptist 
meeting-house, near the water, was totally destroyed. — 
It is computed that five hundred buildings, of various de- 
scriptions, were either greatly damaged or totally destroy- 
ed in Providence ; and yet amidst this general ruin, two 
persons only, lost their lives. Bristol, Warren, Wickford, 
and East Greenwich, also suffered great damage, in ves- 
sels and buildings. 

The J\ew-England jMem.orial gives an account of a, 
similar storm on the 15lh day of August, 1635, which 
was the year before Roger Williams came to Providence. 
In that gale, the tide also rose to the same height in our 
river. At Narraganseit, the natives were obliged to 
climb trees for safety ; but the fiood tide returning before 
the usual time, many of them were drowned. 

In 1819, the town of Newport commenced the erection 
of the Newport Asylum, on Coaster's Harbor Island, 
which, when completed, was put under the immediate 
charge of nine commissioners, three of whom go out of 
office every year, and others are chosen to fill their places. 
The commissioners have entire control of the Asylum 
and Island, with the management of its affairs. Previous 
to building the Asylum, the cost to the town of Newport 
for the support of the poor, was about ^'7000 a year. 
Since its establishment, that expense has been reduced 
to about $ iOOO. The keeper of the establishment man- 
ages the farm for the commissioners, and takes care of the 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 95 

poor, for a stipulated salary. The produce of the farm 
and the manufaciures meet, in part, tlie expense of the 
estabhshment, which expense varies from about 3500 to 
$1000 per annum, as more or less inmates are therein, 
and the price of provisions rises or falls. 

In 18^22 the Rhode-Island Historical Society was in- 
corporated, for the purpose of collecting papers, manu- 
sciipts and documents, relative to the history of the Slate, 
and to preserve those which record the j^assing events. 
It is to be regretted, that much of the history of Rhode- 
Island contained in manuscripts, &z,c. is irrecoverably lost, 
as well as much traditionary information, which has died, 
as one and another of our aged fellow-citizens have de- 
scended to the grave. Many facts, however, that are 
valuable to the future historian, have been rescued by the 
exertions of the Society, from sharing a similar fate ; and 
it is their care to preserve and transmit to posterity, all 
that is interesting of our own times. The Society of late 
have -maintained an interesting and valuable correspon- 
dence, with the Royal Society of Northern Antiquaries 
at Copenhagen, and from the reception of some impor- 
tant documents from them, they have reason to suppose 
they may derive important aid irom that Society, in elu- 
idating the early history of this country. They have 
also lately received propositions from the Royal Academy 
Df Sciences at Lisbon, soliciting the establishment of a 
correspondence and an interchange of transactions. The 
Society ha\e two cabinets, one at Providence and one 
at Newport ; and it should be the endeavor of every cit- 
zen to aid them in their efforts, by depositing with them 
all such papers and manuscripts in their possession as will 
throw light on the history of the State and facilitate 
the objects of the Society. 

The newspapers, those depositories of incidents and 
Bvents of daily occurrence, were they carefully preserv- 
ed, would present a complete history of the civil, political, 
moral, religious, agricultural and commercial affairs of the 
State. 1 am informed that a regular file of the newspa- 



96 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

pers of this town cannot be found farther back than 1787," 
Would it not be well for the printers to furnish the Cab- 
inets with a copy of each of their papers, as they art 
printed, so that hereafter regular files may be preserved] 

In March, 1825, the freemen of Newport decided by 
vote to establish free schools in the town, and a commit- 
tee in May following, recommended to erect two school- 
houses, to obtain the Church school-house, and establist 
three free schools in the town. In 1820, a committee 
of the town reported on a resolution of the General As- 
sembly of this State, calling on the several towns for in- 
formation on the subject of free schools, and recommend- 
ed that the town instruct their representatives in Genera] 
Assembly, to unite their efforts to procure an act of the 
Legislature for such a general system of public schools, 
as in their wisdom they may devise. 

On the 14th of July, 1826, the corner stone of thei 
town school-house No. 1, was laid by Lieut. Gov. Charles 
Collins. The Rev. Mr. Gammell offered a very appro- 1 
priate prayer on the occasion. A committee was appoint- j 
ed in April, 1826, to investigate and inquire into money 
said to he due from the town, for, or on the account o) 
school lands. In their report they say, " The under- 
signed, a committee of said town, appointed on the 3d ol 
Sept. 1825, to inquire into the evidence of the title ojj 
the town of Newport to the Newtown or school lands, od| 
the subject of which lands a former committee reported; 
on the 16th of May last, from which report and other 
representations then made, some of the freemen were in- 
duced to believe that the town received the aforesaid land 
as a gift, on condition to apply the whole income to the 
education of the youth of said town, and that the town 
was, in law and equity, bound for the faithful perform- 
ance of the same ; and as the town had sold most of the 
lands in question soon after the revolutionary war, to pay 
the debts of the town, they must now make good by tax- 
ation the trust to them committed by the donor. It was 
also reported by that committee, that the town was 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 97 

indebted to the said education fund, in the sum of 
$51,283 31. 

The coniniittee, after detailing sundry acts and resolu- 
tions of the town, relative to the said Newtown or school 
lands, gleaned from the old mutilated records of the town, 
among which is a report of a committee made to the town 
in 1763, which committee say, " Upon examining the 
town records, we found tliat the said land was purchased 
by the town of one Bartholomew Hunt, the Hth day of 
December, 1G61, for which they gave him in exchange 
a lot of one hundred acres now lying in Middletown." 
They say, " Thus it appears that the town in the year 
1661 exchanged one hundred acres for the tract since 
called Newtown or school land, being the property in 
? question. If your committee were allowed in any con- 
jecture respecting the hundred acres exchanged, they 
^submit the subjoined extract from Calender's century ser- 
mon, acknowledging, at the same time, that it is but a 
connection of remote and detached circumstances, resting 
as much on possibihties as probabilities. 

" Mr. Lenthall was admitted a freeman here, August 
6th, 1640, and August 20th, Mr. Lenthall was by vole 
called to keep a public school for the learning of youth, 
and for his encouragement there was granted to him and 
his heirs, one hundred acres of land, and four more for an 
house lot. It was also voted, that one hundred acres 
should be set forth and appropriated for a school, for the 
encouragement of the poorer sort to train up their youth 
in learning, and Mr. Robert Lenthall, while he continues 
to keep school, is to have the benefit of it. — Century 
Sermon, pages 62, 63. 

In IMarch, 1827, the town passed an act to establish 
a school fund, and appointed three commissioners of said 
fund, one to go out every year, and a new one to be 
chosen in his place; who are to receive all donations and 
bequests hereafter given for public schools, as also the 
bequest of the late Constant Taber ; likewise all monies 
jeceived for licenses, auction tax and estates taken by the 
9 



98 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

town for want of known heirs, and directed that the re- 
mainder of the said Newtown lots be sold, and the pro- 
ceeds placed in the fund. 

During the January session of 1829, the General As- 
sembly of Rhode-Island appropriated ten thousand dol- 
lars annually, for the support of public schools, to be 
paid over to the several towns, according to their respec- 
tive population, under the age of sixteen years ; and 
authorizing the several towns to raise by tax in each year, 
as the majority of the freemen in town-meeting shall judge 
proper, a sum not exceeding double the amount to be 
received out of the General Treasury. But one of the 
schools proposed by this town, has as yet been establish- 
ed, viz. the Mill-street school. 

As early as the year 1800, Providence estabhshed at 
the expense of the town the system of public schools, for 
the instruction of all the children of seven years old and 
upward. This judicious measure has been the means of 
introducing into useful life in all the departments of busi- 
ness, hundreds of young men, who are now useful citizens, 
and who without this means of education, would have 
grown up in ignorance.* Since the organization of their 
city government, primary schools have been established 
in the several w^ards of the city, for smaller children, 
taught by females. 

In 1826, July 4th, Major John Handy read the Dec- 
laration of Independence from the steps of the State- 
House in Newport, that being the place where fifty years 
before, it was read to the people by the same gentleman. 
The steps were decorated with an arch of flowers. Ma- 
jor Handy addressed the assembled multitude as follows : 

*By a late act passed by the City Council, the number of pub- 
lic schools is- to be increased^ a High school established, the sal- 
aries of all the teachers are to be raised, and other regulations 
adopted, for placing the schools in that city in the best possible 
condition. By this wise and judicious measure, the facilities for 
acquiring a good education will be extended to all the children 
in the city. The act is to go into operation in September next- 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 99 

*' My respected fellow-citizens, at your united request, 
I appear before you in this public station, at an age when 
it would seem advisable that I should remain a silent 
spectator of the performances of this day, a day which 
half a century past, secured to us our independence and 
prosperity ; and no nation more prosperous ! My own 
feelings on this occasion I have sacrificed, to gratify your 
wishes. The recollection of past scenes of the last fifty 
years, rushes in succession on my mind, with a hope and 
belief that the mantle of charity will be thrown over my 
imperfections, and under that impression 1 shall proceed 
to the performance of the part required of me." 

After the Declaration was read, a hymn was sung in 
the tune of old hundred, the whole multitude uniting 
their voices with a fervency and zeal which gave it a 
most sublime and happy effect. 

In 1827, the Newport Association of Mechanics and 
Manufacturers appointed a committee to receive dona- 
tions, in books or otherwise, lor the purpose of establish- 
ing a library for the use of the members, and the appren- 
tices of members. For more than thirty years, the funds 
of this Society, although never extensive, have been in- 
variably and zealously devoted to the most beneficial 
purposes. This Association, as far as its resources would 
permit, has clothed the naked, fed the hungry, and instruct- 
ed the ignorant. It has ever been rich in disposition to 
do good, given to hospitality, and distributing to the ne- 
cessities of the indigent. 

On the 9th of June, 1832, the Asiatic Cholera made 
its appearance at Quebec, in Low^er Canada, and pro- 
gressed so rapidly, that by the morning of the 12th, eighty 
cases had occurred, more than sixty of which had proved 
fatal. It has been remarked, that of all the pestilential 
scourges that have ever afflicted our race, the Asiatic 
Cholera, in some of its characteristics, was the most re- 
markable. This dreadful disorder first made its appear- 



100 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

ance in August, 1817, at Jessore, a considerable city 
about 100 miles to the Northward of Calcutta. After 
desolating some of the fairest portions of Asia, it pene- 
trated the Northern part of Europe, and sweeping over a 
great part of that continent, reached t)ie British Isle. 

It has been justly said of tliis disease, that " It has 
mastered every variety of climate, has passed mountains 
and swept over seas, proving equally fatal amid the burn- 
ing sands of Arabia and on the frozen shores of the while 
sea; and in the space of less than fillteen years, has 
swept off more than fifty millions of the human race." 
This dreadful disorder, two or three years previous to its 
appearance on this continent, was scarcely known to ex- 
ist by a great portion of the American people. It first 
began to attract attention here, when it was known to 
have reached England ; and its destructive ravages in 
Paris created alarm ; but the hope was entertained that 
the Atlantic would prove a barrier to its approach. But 
when that barrier was passed, and it was knowm that this 
destroying angel had begun his march of death on this 
continent, a general consternation prevailed through tijo 
land. It soon reached Albany and New- York from Can- 
ada, and shortly spread dismay and death among the 
inhabitants of many of our cities. At the June session 
of the Legislature of Rhode-Island, of that year, the As- 
sembly recommended a public fast: the preamble of the 
act says, " Whereas that scourge to the human race, the 
Asiatic Cholera, hath made its appearance on this conti- 
nent, and as no human exertions can effectually resist 
the approach of this threatening pestilence, which walk- 
eth in darkness and wasteth at noon day, it becometh us 
humbly and devoutly to acknowledge our dependence 
upon, and to implore the aid of Him in whose hand our 
breath is, and whose mercy endureth forever ; therefore, 
resolved, that Thursday the 5th day of July next be, 
and hereby is set apart, as a day of humiliation and pray- 
er to Almighty God, that he would stay this plague, and 
avert the appalling visitations of his judgments," 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. jqj 

But God was better to the people of New-England 
than all their fears, and this overflowing scourge passed 
over them, and but few of the inhabitants fell under its 
power. In Newport and Providence, only a few cases 
occurred. And it was remarked that the health of our 
cities, other than this disorder, was better than what is 
usually the case, the same season of the year. 

Newport within a few years past, has greatly advanced 
in business and prosperity. Many public and private 
buildings have been erected, and estates purchased by 
gentlemen from New- York and other places, who make 
this place their summer retreat ; and the application of 
steam to machinery has enabled her to embark in the man- 
ufacture of cotton and woollen cloths. There are now 
two large cotton mills in successful operation, which to- 
gether move about 12,000 spindles, and manufacture 
about 40,000 yards of cloth per week. 

Another large brick mill is in successful progress, cal- 
culated to run 7,000 spindles; and will soon be in opera- 
tion. There is also another cotton mill of 1,000 spindles, 
at present suspended. One establishment is also engaged 
in the manufacture of woollen goods. These, together with 
I an iron foundry, recently established, and the extensive 
fortifications commenced by Government in 1825, for the 
i security of our harbor, still in progress, have contributed 
; to increase the population and business of the town. 

In reviewing the history of the past, and especially of 
our own loved Rhode-Island, who is so blinded as not to 
recognise the footsteps of Omnipotence, and trace on the 
pages of her history, the finger of God ? Two centuries 
only have passed away, since this whole Western hemis- 
phere, from the shores of the Atlantic to the vast Pacific, 
presented a dark, cheerless, and interminable wilderness, 
where wandered the footsteps of the untutored savage and 
the prowling beast of prey. 

Now, from the shores of the Atlantic to the banks of 
9* 



TLQ2 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

the majestic Mississippi, we behold smiling villages, splen- , 
did and populous cities rising up before us, rivaling the ' 
proudest in the old world. We have seen the almost 
countless tribes of powerful warlii<e savages, melting 
away before the march of genius, industry, and enterprise. 
Here in our own loved " Eden," two centuries ago, the 
lonely pilgrim gazed upon the Indian wigwam, the in- 
struments of savage warfare, and listened to the horrid 
yell of barbarism. Yes, on this consecrated spot, where 
now stands the temple of the living God, in which our 
fathers worshipped, and where we have listened to songs 
of salvation and joy, was once heard the deep-toned 
agony of the expiring captive, and the exulting shout of 
his barbarous tormentor. 

Where now are the original inhabitants, the native 
" lords of this soil ?" Is the little remnant of the Narra- 
gansetts, now under the protection of the State, all that 
remains of this once noble race of men ? And are the 
few acres of land in Charlestown, now in possession of 
this remnant, all that is left to them of their ancient do- 
main? Canonicus, Myantonomo, friends and benefactors 
of the Colony, thy nation is now no more; simple sons 
of the forest, the land of thy fathers has passed into the 
possession of the descendants of those men, whom when 
weak, defenceless, and distressed, ye clothed, fed, and 
protected. And thou too, mighty Philip, who fell fight- 
ing for thy native sod, the graves of thy fathers, thy 
wives and children, and thy own loved Mount Haup, 
the white man's foot now presses the soil, once trodden 
by thee. 

From the report of a committee on Indian affairs, in 
Rhode-Island, made to the General Assembly in 1833, 
'' It appears that the whole number of all grades and con- 
ditions of the once numerous and warlike tribe of Narra- 
gansetts, (the only tribe now existing in the State) at 
that time, was one hundred and nijiety-nine. Of this 
number, only seven were of genuine Narragansett blood, 
(several of whom have since died ;) fourteen were half 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 103 

bloodj and one hundred and fifty-eight, of different grades 
less than lialf hlood, and twenty foreigners, who iiave no 
connection with tlie tribe, except by marriage and other 
promiscuous intercourse." Tliese were represented by 
the committee at that lime, as being in the most wretched 
and abject condition. Tlie Legislature of the State has 
since interposed its authority to protect them from the 
cupidity and depredations of strangers, and guide them in 
peace to the graves of their fathers. 

It ought by us never to be forgotten, but inscribed upon 
our hearts, and transmitted to the remotest generation, 
that Rhode-Island was a settlement for conscience sake ; 
that our fathers here sought an asylum of rest, not only 
for themselves, but for the oppressed of all nations. — 
Their original compact, their acts of legislation, and the 
uncompromising firmness with vvhich they maintained the 
most unlimited toleration and liberty of conscience, fully 
demonstrate that the first settlers of Rhode-Island, as Mr. 
Callender very justly observes, "fled not from religion, 
order, or good government, but to have liberty to worship 
God and enjoy their own religious opinions and belief." 

The same principle that induced the first settlers of 
New-England to escape from the oppressive power of 
the lords bishops in England, induced the first settlers 
of Rhode-Island to escape from the persecuting spirit of 
the lords brethren in Massachusetts. The great princi- 
ples of civil and religious freedom seem to have been in- 
scribed by the Author of our being, on the temple of the 
human heart. Liberty is the spontaneous language of 
the soul. Every attempt to suppress or control the free 
and unrestricted exercise of Its own volitions, is an act of 
violence on the laws of our moral nature, and a tyranny 
against which, it has a right to rebel. And how long 
soever the human mind may be chained to the iron car 
of civil or religious despotism, still its inherent, uncon- 
querable spirit scorns to bow in servile homage, and sighs 
to breathe its native air of freedom. 



104 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

It has ever been the policy of despotic governments, to 
secure the weahh and talent of the kingdom, in support 
of the crown. Conscious of the invincible energies of 
mind, when enlightened and matured by science ; that! 
the perpetuity of the throne was dependent on the pros- 
tration of intelligence among the people, property was 
secured to titles, and science poured her cheering beams 
on the mind of none, but such as were entitled to offi- 
ces within the gift of the Crown. 

We might also advert to a policy still more degrading 
and hostile to the dignity and happiness of man. The 
ambitious and aspiring priest invaded the dominion of the 
soul, and claimed, as the minister of God, absolute juris- 
diction over the creeds and consciences of men. Clothed 
with ecclesiastical authority, revelling in the smiles of 
popular favor, and acting under the protection of consti- 
tutional power, he exerted an influence by appealing to 
the passions of degraded, abject mortals, infinitely more 
to be dreaded than that of the tyrant, who claimed do- 
minion over the physical energies of man. Unconditional 
submission was demanded, by imposing creeds and spirit- 
ual embargoes. Every deviation from the established 
usages of the church, awakened the unmitigated ven- 
geance of these watchful guardians of her interests. — 
Every attempt of reformation, or the kindest and gentlest 
reproof of violated powder, w\is taxed with heresy and re- 
bellion, and served as the watch-word of bigotry and su- 
perstition, to nerve the arm and light up the fires of per- 
secution. 

From this tribunal there was no appeal. Here the plea 
of mercy died away unheard. Here the arm of justice 
became powerless. She peopled her inquisitorial dun- 
geons with the bravest and noblest of her sons, who dared 
to dispute her infallibility and usurped power. And such 
was the spirit from which the pilgrim fled, an exile from 
his home, and sought on the rock of Plymouth, the 
shores of New-England, a soil congenial with the spirit 
of religious freedom struggling in the human soul. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 105 

But educated as they had been, under a form of gov- 
ernment, whose settled policy had pronounced uniformity 
as indispensable to the perpetuity and prosperity of the 
church, it is not surprising that the great principles of re- 
ligious freedom should have been but imperfectly un- 
derstood, and the spirit of religious toleration but imper- 
fectly improved. The people were not prepared for the 
development of those great principles, which have since 
so universally obtained throughout the States of this con- 
federacy. 

There was but here and there a mind sufficiently ma- 
tured to comprehend, or sufficiently elevated and inde- 
pendent to advocate, the principles of civil and religious 
freedom to their proper and legitimate extent. It was 
reserved for the banished WiliiamSj and the proscribed 
and persecuted Clarke, to proclaim to the world that 
Jesus Christ was king d^ facto in his own kingdom, and 
that the civil magistrate has no jurisdiction over, and no 
right to interfere with the creeds or consciences of men. 

Rhode-Island, although slandered and reviled by the 
early historians of New-England, for her want of unifor- 
mity in the Christian faith, has lived to witness the tri- 
umph of truths first taught by our exiled sires, and the 
universal prevalence of her own peculiar views of reli- 
gious toleration throughout the whole extent of our 
country. The sentiments slie then adopted and defend- 
ed, stand forth before the world an imperishable monu- 
ment of the wisdom, purity, and integrity of the men 
who planted the Colony of Rhode-Island. Loaded with 
obloquy, contempt, and scorn, Rhode-Island stood forth 
amidst surrounding darkness, in all the peerless majesty 
of truth, a beacon to guide to the haven of repose, the 
persecuted and oppressed of all nations. The hallowed 
influence of her principles has leavened this mighty na- 
tion, and neutralized, if not subdued, the dark malignant 
spirit of bigotry and superstition, of religious intolerance 
and persecution. Here no haughty, ambitious and aspir- 
ing priesthood, revels in the smiles of popular favor. 



106 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. | 

clothed with imperial authority to invade tlie dominion 
of the soul, enforcing their absurd and surperstitious dog- 
mas, by the instruments of torture, the horrors of the in- 
quisition, or the immolating fires of persecution. 

In was in Rhode-Island, man first breatlied the pure 
untainted air of freedom, and claimed the undisputed, 
unrestricted right to worship God according to the dic- 
tates of his own conscience, unmolested. Nor was the 
spirit which planted the ensign of religious freedom in 
Rhode-Island, tlie spirit of fanaticism ; the wild ebulitions 
of a feverish and distempered imagination, but of enlight- 
ened reason and sanctified intellect ; the holy aspirations 
of mind, influenced and controlled by principles no less 
commanding than the benevolence of God, which, like 
the overflowing light of heaven, settles down upon every 
object capable of its reception. 

Our venerable predecessors not only asserted the right 
to know, but to argue freely any question involving the 
life, liberty, or happiness of man, and carefully threw 
around them the only sure bulwark of defence, the free- 
dom of speech and of the press. It was to enjoy these 
rights, the first comiiiunity of civilized man was planted 
in New^-England, and for asserting and maintaining them, 
the first settlers of Rhode-Island were banished, disfran- 
chised, and proscribed by the advocates of uniformity in 
Massachusetts. 

That uniformity which has marked the history of the 
church, in her unhallowed amalgamation with the world, 
has ever been hostile to the simple republican principles 
of Rhode-Island ; hostile to the development of intellect, 
the aspirations of genius, and the freedom of speech and 
of the press. 

Among the earliest records of legislation in Rhode- 
Island, we find an act guarding the right of private opin- 
ion, and of free discussion. In the preamble to which 
they say, " That to suffer the civil magistrate to intrude 
his power into the field of opinions, and restrain the pro- 
fession or propagatloji of principles, on the supposition of 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 107 

their ill tendency, is a dangerous fallacy, which at once 
destroys all religious liberty ; because he of course being 
judge of that tendency, will make his own opinions the 
rule of judgment, and approve or condemn the sentiments 
of others, only, as they shall square with or differ from 
his own ; that it is time enough for the rightful purposes 
3f civil government, for its oflicers to interfere when prin- 
ciples break forth into overt acts against peace and good 
order — and finally, that truth is great and will prevail, if 
eft to herself; that she is the proper and suflicient antag- 
onist of error, and has nothing to fear from the conflict, 
unless by human power disarmed of her natural weapons, 
free argument and debate." 

Nor were these riglits, nor any part of them relinquish- 
ed by our venerable predecessors, when they entered the 
confederacy. They surrendered no inalienable right ; 
they made no compromise of the liberty " to know, ut- 
ter, and argue freely," any of the great principles of civil 
and religious freedom on which the Colony was founded. 
And when Rhode-Island subscribed to, and adopted the 
Constitution of tlie United States, the voice of freedom 
echoed from the Iialls of her convention, proclaiming, 

That there arc certain natural rights of which men, 
when they form a social compact, cannot deprive their 
posterity ; among which, are the enjoyment of life and 
liberty, with the means of acquiring, possessing, and pro- 
tecting property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness 
and Safety. That all men have an equal, natural, inalien- 
able right to the exercise of religion, according to the 
dictates of their own conscience. That the people have 

right to freedom of speech and of writing, and publish- 
ing their sentiments ; that freedom of the press is one of 
the great bulwarks of liberty, and ought not to be viola- 
ted. 

" Under these impressions," say they, '^ and declaring 
that the rights aforesaid cannot be abridged, and that 
these declarations are consistent with the Constitution, 
we the said delegates, in the name and in the behalf of 



108 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

the people of the State of Rhode-Island and Providencef 
Plantations, do by these presents assent to and ratify said 
Constitution." Such were the principles of our sires, 
and such the principles of their sons. They never blush- 
ed to own themselves the bold uncompromising advocates^ 
of human rights: of freedom of speech and of the press;; 
the right to know, utter, and argue freely, any questionsj 
involving the life, liberty, and happiness of man. 

And never may the future historian of Rhode-Island i 
record the degeneracy of her sons. As Rhode-Island I' 
was the first to assert, so may she be also the last to de- 
sert the great principles of civil and religious freedom i 
advocated by the fathers of this Colony, and defended by 
the persecuted and banished Williams, whose grave, like 
that of jMoses, is unknov/n to this day. 

Under the hallowed and dignified influence of these 
principles, we have seen this people rise up from a few 
feeble, dependent, and defenceless Colonies, to indepen- 
dent greatness ; contending successfully with the proudest i 
nations of earth, in agriculture, commerce, and manufac- 
tures; in intelligence, industry, and enterprise. Our 
prosperity as a nation, has been unexampled in the his- 
tory of the world. 

And for much of our national prosperity and glory, we 
are indebted to the great principles of liberal legislation 
adopted as the basis of civil government, by the fathers 
of Rhode-Island. The principal glory of our nation is, 
that her government is the government of the people. A 
people acknowledging no sovereignty, independent of 
themselves. A people claiming the unrestricted right 
" to' know, utter, and argue freely," every question of 
popular legislation. If such has been the prosperity of 
the past, who can justly conceive the future destiny of 
this people, and the influence they are destined to exert 
on the nations around them ? 

But let us not be beguiled by the deleterious influence 
of national prosperity, nor lulled into security with the 
fond expectation that the inestimable blessings by us now 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 109 

enjoyed, will be perpetuated without an enlightened, vir- 
tuous, and sanctified public sentiment ; unless God shall 
be honored by us, and his law be written on our hearts. 
If our national prosperity shall lead us to forget God — 
the God in whom our fathers trusted, amidst the dangers 
of savage warfare, and the perils of the revolution, and to 
whose gracious Providence they ascribed the achieve- 
ment of that glorious event — an Ichabod will be written 
on our national escutcheon, and the day of our calamity 
be at hand. 

Should the period ever arrive in our history, when the 
government of this country shall cease to be the govern- 
ment of the people, when our rulers shall not legislate for 
the people, and the people tamely bow to the dictation 
3f party, we may trace in that subserviency, mortifying 
proof of a departure from the original principles of Rhode- 
Island, and an alarming apostacy from the spirit that 
iwelt in the bosom of our sires. And are there not fear- 
'ul indications of an apostacy from those principles? Is 
t not perceived in the vu'ulence of party warfare ? In 
he almost entire absence of moral principle, in the elec- 
ive franchise? In the blood that stains the halls of our 
lational legislature, and the impunity with which the 
constitutional rights of the people are invaded ? Do not 
hese things indicate disease in the body politic ? A dis- 
3ase which nothing can remedy, but the healthful and re- 
leeming influence of enlightened, sanctified public opin- 
on. 

The members of our national legislature are merely 
he agents of the people, and are properly an index of 
mblic opinion. The character of our national legislature 
s the character of the people ; for the government is 
mphatically the government of the people. So long as 
mblic sentiment is corrupted and debased, so long we 
hall live under a corrupt administration, whoever be the 
lominant party. But let public sentiment be purified, 
nd our rulers will be pure. No doctrine was ever more 
allacious than that advanced by distinguished statesmen 
10 



no HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

of the present age, that as we are now in the enjoyment 
of the most free and popular government on earth, noth- 
ing is wanting to perpetuate the blessings of that govern- 
ment, but to keep the people properly enhghtened on 
their civil, political, and religious rights, as freemen ; 
than which nothing can be a more dangerous and fatal 
heresy. For however indispensable intellectual cultiva- 
tion may be to the proper exercise of the elective fran- 
chise, still our only hope is in God. If he delight in us 
as a people, our inheritance shall be perpetuated ; but if 
we forsake him and turn away our ear from hearing the 
law, the day of our calamity is at hand, and the thingSi: 
that come upon us make haste. I 

The history of every form of popular government be- 
fore us, established by the most enlightened and polished 
nations of earth, affords the most indubitable evidence 
that no people ever yet possessed sufficient intelligence 
or virtue, independently of the controlling and sanctifying 
influence of our holy religion, long to enjoy the blessings^ 
of a free and popular government ; that all the politica^i 
sagacity and boasted talent of this nation, cannot secure ^ 
the perpetuation of our free institutions, nor to us the 
constitutional rights of freemen, unless based on the deep 
and broad principles of moral righteousness, recognised in 
the immutable law of the Lord. 

Should our rulers ever adopt in the administration ol 
our government, the maxims of carnal policy and selfish 
expediency, instead of the eternal, immutable principles 
of right, and not be rebuked by the voice of the people, 
the crown will have fallen from our heads and our glory 
will have departed. Then shall we proclaim to the 
world that we have fallen from the high and elevated 
principles of our sires, and by that apostacy, rendered 
ourselves unworthy of the blessings of a free and inde- 
pendent government. i 

No people under heaven can dwell on the pages o$\: 
their own history, with more supreme satisfaction, than 






I 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. i\\ 



the people of this Slate. Rhode-Island is emphatically 
ihe birth-place of freedom — 

^' The liome of the brave and the land of the free." 

Here man first breathed the pure, untainted atmosphere 
h^ civil and religious freedom. Rhode-Island justly 
^laims, and is entitled to tiie honor of establishing a form 
of government in which the great principles of religious 
toleration and liberty of conscience were fully recognised 
land secured, while all other States and kingdoms of the 
iworld condemned it as the delusive dream of visionary 
land disordered minds. The principles adopted by the 
founders of Rhode-Island, and which shall perpetuate 
their name from generation to generation, were so exclu- 
Isively original, so entirely beyond the ordinary range of 
thought in that age, that we feel less disposed to censure 
3 than to pity those early historians of New-England, who 
seem to have been incapable of appreciating the prin- 
ciples of Rhode- Island, or of doing her justice. 

Dr. Mather, of Massachusetts, but little more than a 

century ago, says, " Rhode-Island was occupied by Anti- 

nomians, Anabaplists, Quakers, Ranters, and every thing 

I else, but Roman Catholics and Christians ; and if any 

j man has lost his religion, he may find it in this general 

I muster of opinions ; in this Gawzzim of New-England, 

!l this receptacle of the convicts of Jerusalem, and the out- 

! casts of the land." But could that great and good man 

I again visit our earth, witness the triumph of truth over 

bigotry and superstition, the universal prevalence of 

I those very sentiments for advocating which, he styles 

I tliose venerable men '' the convicts of Jerusalem and the 

outcasts of the land," think you no sigh of regret would 

stray away from his bosom, that he dipped his pen in gall 

when writing of those men, whom ages yet unborn, shall 

delight to honor? 

They planted their feet on the eternal, immutable prin- 
ciple of right, and shielded by the purity of their motifs, 
the rectitude of their own conscience, they stood as im- 



112 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

movable as the rock on the sea shore, where the waves^ 
dash and the storm spends its violence in vain. And al- 
though such were the sectarian prejudices of the age in 
which they lived, and such the devotion of the early 
historians of New-England to the golden calf of uniform- 
ity, that many false and malicious slanders are recorded 
against them, yet succeeding generations have long since 
done honor to their memory. 

Their features are not indeed left on the glowing can- 
vas, nor their form and stature given to the marble. — 
No splendid sepulchral monument perpetuates their fame, 
nor even points the passing stranger to the green sod 
where sleep the mouldering ashes of the illustrious dead ; 
yet their names are inscribed on monuments more dura- 
ble than parian marble, and their memory shall live till 
time itself expires. 

To the members of this Church,* permit me to say, 
beloved brethren, the recollections of the past should 
remind us that the flood of time will soon bear us onward 
to the bosom of eternity, and ought to awaken in our 
hearts the liveliest sentiments of gratitude and praise to 
God, for his paternal and watchful care over the interests 
of this ancient Church. Those venerable men whose 
names not only stand on our records, as her founders, 
but on the long, living annals of fame, with succeeding 
generations, have passed away ; yet for nearly two hun- 
dred years, God has never left himself without a witness 
in this Church. There are, it is true, on the pages of 
her history, striking illustrations of this truth, that God 
has set the day of adversity over against that of pros- 
perity. She has often been dressed in sackcloth, and 
tears have been on the cheek of the daughter of Jerusa- 
lem. God has often chastised us for our sins, yet his 

* The First Baptist Cliurch. This discourse was delivered in the SL 
meeting-house of the INJorth Baptist Church of Newport, as our ' 
own house was supposed inadequate to convene the people, and the 
use of that house being kindly offered for the occasion. 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 113 

loving kindness he has not taken from us, nor suffered 
his faithfulness to fail. 

As the fathers have slept, from age to age, God has 
raised up others to supply their places and stand before 
him in the courts of his holiness, to vindicate the honor 
of his name, and magnify the riches of his grace. The 
original founders of this Church were pre-eminently pion- 
eers of liberty. They were men of independent great- 
ness and dignity of soul — men who claimed the right to 
think — to think as men — and thinking, dared to speak. — 
Men who scorned to bow in obsequious homage to the 
superstitious dogmas of an aspiring priesthood, although, 
enforced by penal sanctions and legislative power. 

They denied the jurisdiction of the civil magistrate 
over the creeds or consciences of men. They proclaim- 
ed that Jesus Christ was king in his own kingdom ; the 
Holy Scriptures his revealed will, and the only rule of 
moral character and conduct for every human being. — 
They took joyfully the spoiling of their goods, and suf- 
fered fines, imprisonment, and stripes, rather than sacrifice 
the testimony of a good conscience, in compromising the 
truth of God, with the inventions or doctrines of men. 

Such were the men, and such the principles of the 
men who had the honor of planting the standard of the 
cross in this then inhospitable and savage desert, and of 
constituting the first visible Church of Christ on this 
Island of the sea. In the character and example of 
these venerable men, we have constantly before us, all 
that is lovely and of good report, in the meek and hum- 
ble spirit of the Christian, and all that is dignified and 
commanding in the patriot and statesman. 

It becomes us, my brethren, seriously to inquire wheth- 
er we cherish the spirit and emulate the example of our 
sires. Whether we sustain the character of independent 
thought and judgment, as did the original founders of this 
Church. Do we cultivate the same liberality of feeling, 
the same unbounded charity toward all men, which shines 
conspicuously on every glowing page of their history r 
10* 



|:14 HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

Do we as conscientiously regard the rights of others, as 
our own ? While we bow with reverence to the supreme 
authority of the Holy Scriptures, as our only rule of faith 
and practice, and deny that any man, or body of men 
possess the right to legislate for us, or prescribe to us the 
forms and modes of religious worship, let us be slow to 
tax with heresy the opinions of others, who differ from us 
in the circumstantials of religion. 

Let that sublime and exalted sentiment,, worthy alone 
of the men who uttered it, still live in this Church,. 
" That truth is the only and sufficient antagonist of error ; 
that she has nothing to fear from the conflict, if left to 
herself; that truth is great and will prevail, unless by 
human power disarmed of her natural weapons, free argu- 
ment and debate." A departure from the original princi- 
ples of democracy and religion, as here taught by our 
sires, has been the prolific source of all the mobocracy,' 
misrule, and persecution, which have stained the pages of 
our nation's history. 

Here, my brethren, may the dark, malignant spirit of 
bigotry and superstition, never find a residence, nor the 
throne of relentless persecution ever be erected. Let us 
never be influenced to invade the rights of others, by an 
unmanly subserviency to the dictations of party, the 
bhnd zeal of sectarianism, nor bow in servile homage to 
popular opinion. As the Pastor of the First Baptist 
Church in Newport, I should blush for my degeneracy 
from the principles and spirit of the original founder of 
this Church, if I did not plant my feet firm on the broad 
principles of free discussion ; and blush for the degene- 
racy of my brethren, if they did not sustain me in dis- 
cussing any question, involving the life, liberty, and hap- 
piness of man. 

No principle of truth and righteousness seeks the dark- 
ness of concealment, nor fears the scrutiny of free inquiry 
and of public opinion ; and no sentiment in religion or 
politics, is worthy our confidence and support, my breth- 
ren, which dreads investigation. Finally, brethren, let 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. II5; 

as " Study the things that make for peace, and things 
whereby one may edify anotlier." Cuhivate " the unity 
of the spirit in the bonds of peace," and " if it be possi- 

[ ble, as much as lieth in you, hve peaceably with all men ; 

I and the God of love and peace shall be with you." 

Men, brethren, and fathers, we are reminded by the re- 

!i collections of the past, that the time of our departure is 

;! at hand, and that the season of our mortal probation will 
soon be closed. What we do for ourselves, our country, 
or our God, must soon be done. Not a solitary individ- 
ual of all that lived on this favored Isle one centur) ago, 
remains to this day. One after another has passed away, 
till all are gone. And but very few of those venerable 
men, who lived in times that tried men's souls, who 
shared in the perils and conflicts of the revolution, have 
survived the onward march of time, and mingle with us 
in the devotions of the day. 

Soon the multitude before me, with the speaker, will 
have descended to the tomb, and our places be occupied 
by a new troop of succeeding pilgrims. Let us remem- 
ber, however diversified our political and religious opin- 
ions, we belong to the same great family of man, posses- 
sing the same common frailties, and requiring the same 
common sympathies. As Christians, belonging to the 
same redeemed family, which is to act so conspicuous a 
part on the great theatre of Heaven, let us put on as the 
elect of God, bowels of mercy, and cultivate that chanty 
which thinketh no evil, and is not easily provoked : 
charity which suffereth long, and is kind : charity which 
never faileth. 

Let us remember, we live not for ourselves alone, but 
for posterity and for God. On this beloved Island, two 
centuries ago to-day, the lonely pilgrim planted the tree 
of civil and religious freedom. Here they consecrated an 
altar,^ for the persecuted and oppressed of all nations ; 
under the broad and wide-spreading foliage of this hallowed 
tree, and before the shrine of this consecrated altar, we 
are permitted to bow before the God of our fathers to-day, 



jjg HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 

and none to molest us or make us afraid. O may the 
blessings bequeathed by our sires, and claimed as the 
inheritance of their sons, be transmitted by us to posterity 
untarnished, undiminished, and unimpaired. Amen. 

Rhode-Island, the land where the Exile sought rest, 
Thou Eden, where wandered the Pilgrim oppress'd : 
Thy name be immortal ! hero man was made free. 
The oppressed of all nations found refuge in thee. 

Here freedom's broad pinions our fathers unfurled, 
An ensign to nations, and hope to tho world; 
Here both Jew and Gentile have ever enjoyed, 
The freedom of conscience, in worshipping God. 

Here those ever-loved men, who for conscience tow'rd God, 
Were banished and exiled fiom kindred and blood ; 
Were hailed by the red man, the wanderer's friend. 
And before the Great Spirit, in harmony bend. 

Rhode-Island, thou home of the brave and the free, 
All nations shall pay their glad tribute to thee ; 
And while distant ages roll silent along, 
Thy fame shall be chanted in story and song. 

This day shall be honored till freedom expires, 
We'll dwell on the name and the deeds of our sires ; 
For the blessings bequeathed us, thej purchased so dear, 
The tribute we offer, is gratitude's tear. 

No roar of the cannon salutes the glad morn, 
When man was enfranchised and freedom was born ; 
But the incense we offer, more grateful shall rise, 
It flows from the heart, and ascends to the skies. 

Great Father of Nations, before thee we bow, 
Accept our thanksgiving, thy blessing bestow ; 
O guide us till labor and sorrow shall cease. 
To the grave of our fathers, then bring us in peace. 



APPENDIX 



m 

TO THE 



HISTORY OF THE CHURCHES, 



ON 



RHODE-ISLAND. 



APPENDIX 



NOTE A. 

The founders of the First Baptist Church in Newport, which wa« 
also the Second Baptist Church in New-Eugland, were the first set- 
tlers of the Island, and were organized soon after their settlement in 
Newport. The Rev. Mr. Dumont, in his brief notice of the Con- 
gregational Churches in Newport, on the authority of Dr. Styles' 
MSS. claims this Church as Congregationalist and Pedo-baptist, 
from its organization in 1C40, until 1644, when it became Baptist. — 
But from the history of New-England, from 1G30 to 1G49, by John 
Winthrop, first Governor of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, it ap- 
pears virtually to have been Baptist from 1G40. He, (Governor 
Winthrop) says, " In 1G38, Mr. Coddington (who had been an as- 
sistant from the first coming over, of the government, being with 
his wife, taken with the fanatical opinions) removed to Aquiday 
Island, in the Narragansett Bay. Those who were gone with Mrs. 
Hutchinson to Aquiday, fell into new errors daily. At Providence 
things grew still worse, for a sister of Mrs. Hutchinson, the wife of 
one Scott, being infected with Anabaptistry, and going last year to 
live at Providence, Rlr. Williams was taken (or rather emboldened) 
by her to make open profession thereof, and accordingly was re-bap- 
tized by one Holyman, a poor man, late of Salem : then IMr. Wil- 
liams re-baptized him, and some ten more. They also denied the 
baptizing of infants, and would have no migistrates. 

" 1G39, the people of Aquiday or Aquedneck, gathered a Church 
in a very disordered way ; for they took some excommunicated per- 
sons, and others who were members of the Church of Boston, and 
Bot dismissed. 



^<^Q APPENDIX. 

" The Church of Boston sent three brethren with letters to Mr. 
Coddington, and the rest of our members at Aquiday, to understand 
iheir judgment in divers points of religion, formerly maintained by 
all, or divers of them, and to require them lo give account to the 
Church, of their unwarrantable practice, in communicating with 
excommunicated persons, &c. When they came, they found that 
those of them who dwelt at Newport, had joined themselves to a 
Church there, newly constituted, and therefore refused to hear them 
as messengers of our Church, or to receive the Church's letters." 

From this extract, it appears that this Church, from its organiza- 
tion, rejected infant baptism, the supervision of the civil magistrates, 
&c., and was in fact, a Baptist Church. 

Dr. John Clarke, a learned and pious man, whose name will be 
pronounced with veneration from age to age, was its first Pastor. — 
The first house erected to the worship of God in this town, was 
built by this Church, soon after its organization, and stood at a place 
now known by the name of " Green end." 

In 1651, Mr. Clarke, with two of his brethren, Obadiah Holmes 
and John Crandall, went to visit an aged brother by the name of 
Witter, in Lynn, Mass. Being invited by Mr. Witter lo speak lo 
him and friends, the word of life, Mr. Clarke, while preaching a 
sermon from Rev. iii. 10, at the house of his friend, was arrested by 
a warrant issued by Robert Bridges, justice of the peace, on Lord's 
day, July 20, 1651, and on the S2d of the same month, was commit- 
ted to the common prison, in Boston ; and on the 31st of that month, 
by order of the Court of Assistants, held in Boston, Mr. Clarke and 
brethren received the following sentence, viz: Mr. Clarke pay £20, 
or be severely whipped; Mr. Holmes, £30, or be whipped; and 
Mr. Crandall, £5, or be whipped ; and this alone for conscience to- 
ward God, in differing from their brethren in Massachusetts, on the 
subject ofinfant baptism. 

None sufFei'ed the whipping, but Mr. Holmes, who received thirty 
stripes, with the greatest imaginable severity. But from his own 
narration of the affair, to his friends in London, he could rejoice 
that he was accounted worthy to suffer for the Lord Jesus, and 
found that as his day was, so his strength was also. 

Mr. Clarke, in the course of his trial, defended himself and breth- 
ren, with so much ability, that the Court was greatly embarrassed. 
And during his subsequent imprisonment, he addressed a letter to 
•the Court, staling that as they had condemned the faith and order. 



APPENDIX. 221 

which he held and practised, and after passing sentence upon him, 
had said, that he couJd not maintain the same, against their minis- 
ters, and ollering him liberty to dispute with them, he accepted the 
oiler. 

Mr. CLarke requested the Court to appoint the time when, and the 
persons with wliom, he was to dispute, in the same public place 
where he was condemned ; and doubted not, he says, '' ihat in the 
strength of the Lord Jesus Christ, he should be able to demonstrate 
his faith, out of His last will and testament, to which, nothing is to 
be added, and from which, nothing is to be taken awav-" 

Mr. Clarke also desired the Court, if his request should be grant- 
ed, that an order or decree to that effect, might be signed by the 
Secretary, as a public act of the Court by which he had been con- 
demned. The request was granted, a decree issued, and a time ap- 
pointed for the debate. But among all his persecutors, not one of 
them had moral courage enough to meet him, at the time and place 
appointed, and the debate was not had. 

After several communications fiom Mr. Clarke, and replies from 
the Court, he was released from prison; not by any comproniise of 
the truth on the part of Mr. Clarke, nor by the clemency of his 
persecutors, but by the interposition of his friends, in the payment 
of his fine. Before he left Boston, he addressed a note to the hon- 
orable body by which he had been condemned, assuring tiiem that 
if the preliminaries entered into for a public debate, were strictly 
adhered to, he was ready at any time signified by the Court, to 
come from Rhode-Island, and test the truth of his sentiments, by 
the word of God. 

In November of the same year, Mr. Clarke, in company with Mr. 
Williams, went lo England, as agent ofthe Colony of Rhode-Island, 
where he continued until 1GG4. He remained in England, to watch 
the interests of the Colony, and was instrumental in procuring the 
Charter of 1663, which, down to the present, has secured to the 
people of Rhode-Island, the blessings of civil and religious freedom, 
and is therein mentioned, as follows, '■ Whereas, we have been in- 
formed by the humble petition of our trusty and well beloved sub- 
ject, John Clarke, on the behalf of Benedict Arnold, &c." While 
in London, Mr, Clarke wrote his narrative of the sufferings of 
Obadiah Holmes. This book is now very scarce, and nearly out of 
print. Mr. Benedict says, it is the only piece of his writings which 
has come down to us. 

Mr. Clarke died on the 20th of April, 1676, in the 66th year of hi* 
11 



X22 APPENDIX. 

age. Mr. Backus says, he was born October 8th, 1609, married the 
daughter of John Harges, Esq. of Bedfordshire, England. In a 
power of attorney, signed by them, May 12ih, 1656, he styles him- 
gelf John Clarke, physician of London. His first wife died without 
issue. His second wife was Miss Mary Fletcher, who died April 
19lh, 1072, leaving an only daughter, who died at the age of 11 
years. His third wife was widow Sarah Davis, who survived him. 
Mr, Clarke, according to his request, was buried between his two 
wives, in the burial ground on the West side of Tanner-streetr 
which lot he gave the Church. He left also an estate of considera- 
ble value in the hands of trustees, empowered to choose their succes- 
sors, for the relief of the poor and the education of children, accord- 
ing to instructions given in his will ; which instructions are, " That 
in the disposal of that which the Lord hath bestowed upon me, and 
with which I have now entrusted you, you and your successors 
shall have special regard and care, to provide for those that fear the 
Lord ; and in all things and at all times, so to discharge the trust 
which I have reposed in you, as may be most for the glory of God, 
and the good and benefit of those for whom it is by me especially in- 
tended." 

Mr. Obadiah Holmks was the second Pastor of this Church, and 
was called to that office very soon after Mr. Clarke sailed for Eng- 
land. In him, the Church found a bold and fearless advocate for 
truth, a faithful and indefatigable Pastor ; which office he continued 
to discharge until in 1682, he was removed from the scene of his 
suff'erings and toils, by death, in the 76th year of his age. He lies 
buried on the Holmes farm, in Middletown, where a tomb is erected 
to his memory. Mr. Holmes was educated at the University of 
Oxford, England, and seems to have been well adapted to the limes 
in which he lived — times which tried men's souls. The name of 
Holmes has now become extinct on this Island, but his descendants 
in the male line, are still numerous in New-Jersey. Some of liis 
descendants in the female line, are still living in Newport. His 
nearest descendant on the Island, is the wife of Henry Bull, Esq. of 
this town. 

After Mr. Holmes' death, the Church seems to have been without 
a Pastor, until about the year 1690, when Mr. Richard Dingley 
became their Pastor. He continued with them only four years, 
when he left and went to Charleston, South Carolina. After Mr. 
Dingley left, the Church being few in number, and without any one 
to administer to them the word of life, they concluded to sit under 



APPENDIX. 103 

the ministry of the Rev. Mr. Hiscox, of the Sabbatarian Church. 
In 1711, this little band were again permitted to go up to the Zion 
they loved, and sit under the ministry of the Rev. William Peck- 
ham, who was ordained to the pastoral care of the Church that 
same year. Mr. Peckham continued faithfully to discharge the 
duties of his office, until the increasing infirmities of age rendered 
assistance indispensable to his own happiness, and the prosperity of 
the Church. 

In May, 1718, it appears from the records of the Church, that a 
Mr. Daniel White was received to her fellowship by a letter 
from a Church in England, and was soon after invited by the Church, 
to assist Elder Peckham, in the discharge of his ministerial services. 
Hut he proved a most unfortunate acquisition to the Church ; for he 
soon created or headed a faction, which subsequently (after nearly 
two years of great trial) resulted in a division of the Church, and 
the establishment of a separate meeting, under the administration of 
Mr. White. In 1724, a meeting-house was erected for Mr. White, 
in which he continued to hold meetings for abo;it four years ; when 
having but one individual member of his Church left, he sold the 
raeeting-liouse, and left the place. 

In 1725, the Church invited Mr. John Comer to become the col- 
league of Mr. Peckham, which invitation he accepted, and entered 
upon the duties of his office the following spring. Mr. Comer was 
a man of talents, and eminently successful as a minister of Jesus, — 
Under his ministry the number of the Church was increased from 
seventeen to fifty-one. He also commenced the records of tlic 
Church, and to him we are indebted for much of her early histoig^. 
But the prosperity and happiness of the Church, under Mr. Comer's 
administration, was soon interrupted by a sermon delivered by him 
on Lord's day, Nov. 17, 1728, in which he maintained the doctrine 
of imposition of hands on baptized believers, as indispensable to 
Ciiurch membership and communion at the Lord's table. This dis^ 
course gave great uneasiness to the Church, and finally resulted in 
the separation of the Pastor and his flock. On the 8th of January, 
1729, Mr. Comer was dismissed from his pastoral charge, by letter. 
The records of the Church say, that " 3Ir. Comer was dismissed, 
not so much on account of the doctrine maintained, in the offensive 
discourse, as the spirit in which it was delivered and defended." — 
But whatever fault Mr. Comer committed in preaching or defend- 
ing the doctrine of that sermon, was amply and nobly atoned for, 
by the Christian spirit manifested by him, when about to leave 



124 • APPENDIX. 

Newport. For, unwilling to leave the Church over which he had 
once exercised the office of a Pastor, without seeking a reconcilia- 
tion, he requested them to call a Church meeting; at whicfe on the 
28th of June, 1731, he acknowledged his error to the Church, and 
humbly asked them to forgive him; which acknowledgment was 
received in ihe same spirit of Christian meekness, by the Church; 
and after a pleasant interview, which was conducted as became the 
disciples cf the meek and lowly Jesus, and each producing all the 
papers wJiich had been written on either side, for the purpose of 
destro3ing them, and after a most fervent and affectionate prayer 
by Mr. Comer, they parted with their late Pastor in love and peace. 
The sixih Pastor of this Church, was the Rev. John Calender, 
nephew of the Rev. Elisha Calender, of the old Baptist Church, in 
Boston. Mr. Calender was a native of Boston, and received his 
education at Harvard University, in Cambridge. He graduated at 
an early age, united with the Baptist Church in Boston, and was 
soon afier licensed to preach the Gospel. He accepted the invita- 
tion of this Church to become their Pastor on the 4th of July, ]731, 
and on the 13th day of October following, was set apart to that 
office, by fasting and prayer, and the imposition of hands. The 
Churches of Boston and Swanzey, by .their ministers and messen- 
gers, were mvited to participate in the services. , 

On the 21st of June, 1732, Mr. William Peckham was ordained 
to the. ofuce of a Deacon. And as their beloved and venerable Pas- 
tor, Elder William Peckham, sen. by reason of his advanced age 
and infirmities, could not be present to officiate at the ordination, 
unless held at his house, it was decided by the Church, that the 
ceremony should be performed there. After the ordination, and by 
the special request of Elder Peckham, the Lord's supper was ad- 
ministered. After which, dissolving in love, at the tender recollec- 
tions which pressed upon him, that ancient and venerable man of 
God, with eternity just before him, rose to give his last farewell, 
and pronounce his dying blessing on the Church. The congrega- 
tion was overpowered with the sweetly oppressive blessedness of 
the divine presence and glory. No language could adequately ex- 
press the moral grandeur of that solemn and imposing scene. To 
gee that venerable and beloved Pastor, whose faithfulness and de- 
votion to their welfare, they had witnessed for so many years, now 
standing on the verge of eternity, and breathing out the most fervent 



APPENDIX. 125 

invocation lo God, for tlieir future prosperity, was a scene inex- 
pressibly thrilling and interesting.* 

Mr. Calender's ministry in this Church, during a period ofalmost 17 
years, was very evidently attended with the approbation and blessing 
of God. For by his prudent, judicious, and aflectionate conduct as a 
Pastor, his familiar and endearing intercourse with the people of 
his charge, togellier with tlie faithfulness and zeal with which he 
preached to them the word of life, the Church enjoyed great 
quietness and rest; w^alked together in the fear of the Lord, in 
the comfort of the Holy Ghost, and was multiplied. 

Like his Divine Master, Mr. Calender was poor in this world's 
goods, but rich in faith, and heir to an inheritance incorruptible, 
undefiled, and that fudeth not away. His passage through this 
vale of tears, though not protracted to great length, was one of 
adversity, sickness, and pain. But with a mind elevated and 
subdued by the controlling and sanctifying influences of our holy 
religion, he traced in his afflictions, the kindness of a Father's 
love, and met the ills of life, with patient resignation and 
Christian hope. His departure from the toils and sorrows of 
earth, to that rest which remains for the people of God, was on 
the 2()th of January, 1748, in the 42d year of his age. If that 
life be long, which answers life's great end; if wisdom be grey 
hairs and an unspotted life, old age; then did this truly good man 
come down to his grave, full of years. Mr. Calender not only 
lived to secure the reputation of the scholar and gentleman, but 
what is infinitely more valuable, the reputation of a liberal minded, 
pious and devoted Christian. 

In March, 1738, he preached his celebrated Historical Sermon, 
embracing the civil and religious afiairs of the Colony, from the 
commencement of the first settlement on the Island, to the close of 
the first century. This Discourse does honor to Mr. Calender, and 
the Church over which he presided. It breathes the same spirit of 
religious freedom and liberality of sentiment, that immortalized the 
names of Clarke, Coddington, and their associates. His discourse, 
occasioned by the death of the Rev. Nathaniel Clapp, Pastor of the 
First Congregational Church in Newport, with several others, 
preached on special occasions, was published. 

His remains lie in the common burial place, in Newport., in about- 

♦ I find no record of Elder Pcckham's death. 
11* . 



126 



APPENDIX. 



a North East direction from the gate, in Farewell-street, where a 
tomb has been erected, with an inscription, by Dr. MofFett. The 
tomb erected to the memory of the beloved Calender, is now much 
decayed and fallen down. It should be the immediate care of 
the First Baptist Church in Newport, to see that it be repaired : 
that generations yet to come, may point the passing stranger to 
the spot, where sleep the mouldering ashes of that good man, who 
wrote the first and as yet, the only History of Rhode-Island. 

Mr. Calender was succeeded in the pastoral office of the Church, 
by the Rev. Edward Upham, who continued with them for more 
than twenty years, when by death he was removed from his labors, 
to that rest that remains for the people of God. 

The eighth Pastor of this Church, was the Rev. Erasmus Kel- 
LEY. He accepted the call of the Church, in 1771, and continued in 
the faithful discharge of his duty, until 1778, when the meeting- 
house being used as a barrack for the troops of his sacred majesty, 
King George, he removed to Warren. But in a few months, the 
enemy followed him to that place and burnt the house in which he 
resided, and destroyed his valuable furniture. After which, during 
the continuance of the war, he resided with his family in Pennsyl- 
vania, his native State. In 1784, Mr. Kelley returned to Newport, 
and resumed his pastoral labors among his flock. But they were 
however, of but short continuance, for on the 7th of Nov. follow- 
ing, he was removed by death. 

The ninth Pastor was the Rev. Benjamin Foster, D.D. Mr. 
Foster commenced his labors with this Church on the first Sabbath 
of January, 1785, and on the 5th of June following, was installed to 
the pastoral office. Three years after, he received and accepted 
a call from the First Baptist Clmrch in New-York, to become their 
Pastor, and removed his family to that place, the autumn of the 
same year. He continued his labors in that Church, with great 
fidelity and success, until his death. He died of the yellow fever, 
August, 1798. Mr. Foster was a man of superior intellect, and of 
high literary attainments. Mr. Benedict says, in the Greek, 
Hebrew, and Chaldean languages, he left few superiors. 

The following is the inscription on his tomb-stone, in the Baptist 
burial ground, in the city of New-York : — " As a Scholar and 
Divine, he excelled : as a Preacher, he was eminent : as a Christ 
ian, h© shone conspicuously : in his piety, he was fervent. The 
Church was comforted by his life, and now laments his death." 



APPENDIX. • 127 

In 1789, the Rev. Michael Eddy received and accepted the 
call of the Cliurch, to become their Pastor, the duties of which 
office, he continued to discharge for almost half a century. In 
1833, sickness and the increasing infirmities of age, pressing heavily 
upon him, the Rev. James M'Kenzie, a native of Newport, and 
formerly a member of the Church, was invited to become the col- 
league of Elder Eddy, in which station he continued for one year, 
when he left to take charge of the Fourth Baptist Churcli in New- 
port. Mr. Eddy departed this life on the 3d day of June, 1835, in 
the 75tli year of his age, respected and beloved by his Church and 
congregation, and by the inhabitants of Newport, with whom he 
had lived for so many years. 

During Mr. Eddy's ministry, the Church was frequently blest 
with seasons of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. The 
years of 180G-8-1G, and 20, will long be remembered, as years of 
the right hand of the Most High. In that of 1820, more than one 
hundred were added to the Church. During Mr. Eddy's labors of 
love, in this Church, he baptized more than five hundred ; many 
of whom have been removed by death, and others remain unto this 
day. 

The present Pastor of the Church was installed March 11th, 
1835. In the retrospect of the past, we can say, God has been our 
refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble. And 
although our prospects have been sometimes dark and gloomy, yet 
He has ever been ready to bless, and we have often sung, " Lo ! 
this is our God I we have waited for him ; he will save us — this is 
the Lord, we have waited for him ; we will be glad and rejoice in 
his salvation." 



128 * APPENDIX. 



NOTE B. 

In 165G, twenty-one members of the First Baptist Church iir' 
Newport, withdrew themselves, and formed the Second Baptist 
Church in this town. These brethren objected to the original 
Church, in her use of psalmody, restraints upon the liberty of 
prophecying, and holding the laying on of hands a matter of in- 
difference, which they regarded as binding on all believers. 

The first Pastor of this Church, was the Rev. William Vaughn, 
who continued with them till his death in 1G77. 

The second was the Rev. Thomas Baker, who subsequently 
settled in North-Kingstown, lie was succeeded by the Rev. John 
Harden, who died in 1700. 

The fourth Pastor was the Rev. James Clarke, nephew of Dr. 
John Clarke. He was assisted in the discharge of his pastoral du- 
ties by the Rev. Daniel Wightjian, wiio succeeded him in that 
office, in 1704. 

In 1729, Mr. John Comek became a member of ihis Church, and 
as Mr. Wightnian was now aged and infirm, the Church invited 
Mr. Comer to assist him in the ministry. And although he remain- 
ed with the Church a short time only, his labors were greatly blest 
in the edification ofthe Church, and the salvation of sinners. The 
Lord gave him many souls, as seals of his ministry, and stars in his' 
future crown of rejoicing. 

Mr. Clarke died in 173C, aged 87 years. After the death of Mr. 
Cylarke, the Church invited JMr. Nicholas Evers to become the 
colleague of Mr. Wighlman, in which he continued until Mr. 
VVightman's death, in 1750. Mr. Eyers died in 1759. Previous to 
his death, for several years, he had enjoyed the labors of one of his 
own flock, as an assistant in the ministry; one whom he had point- 
ed to the Lamb of God, as the only Saviour; one whom he had 
buried with Christ in baptism, and fed with knowledge and under- 
standing. This was the Rev. Gardiner Thurston*, who at the 
death of Mr. Eyers, succeeded to the pastoral charge of the Church. 
Mr. Thurston continued to discharge the duties of a minister of 
Jesus Christ, with great faithfulness and success,, for more than forty 
years, when the increasing infirmities of age pressed heavily upon 
him, and he applied to his beloved flock, to procure an assistant. 



APPENDIX. 129 

to relieve Jiim from some part of Jiis arduous labors. He was as- 
sisted for a few months by the Rev. Thomas Dunn. After liim, 
by the Rev. Wili.i.^m Peckham, a licentiate, and member of 
the Churcli. 

In 17!)1), the Rov. William Collier, of Boston, was invited 
to labor in the Church, as the assistant of Mr. Tiiuiston. But 
in 1801, the venerable man of God knowing that tlie time of 
his departure was at hand, earnestly entreated liis people to 
procure a Pastor, and release him from the responsibilities of his 
charge Accordingly, in JMay of that year, he was permitted to 
witness the scttlcdient of tlie Rev. Joshua Bradley, as his suc- 
cessor in the pastoral office. Mr. Tliurston died the following 
year, aged 82. " The memory of the just is blessed." 

Mr. Bradley continued to labor with this Church, for about 
six years, when he removed to Connecticut, to the great grief 
of his flock. IJis labors were signally blessed of Gud, in the 
conversion of souls ; and during his ministry, the Church enjoy- 
ed great prosperity, and great accessions were made to her num- 
bers. 

In October, 1807, the Rev. Mr. Gibson became their Pastor; 
which office he held till March, 1815, when he requested and 
received a discharge from the pastoral charge of the Church. 

The Rev, Samuel Wydown was his successor, who continued 
with the Church until 1817, when the Rev. Mr. Elton was invi- 
ted to become its Pastor, and was ordained to that office, Junellth, 
of the same year. Under the ministry of Mr. Elton, the Church 
continued to prosper, and during the year 1820, more than one 
hundred were added by baptism. In 1822, Mr. Elton (having re- 
ceived a call from the Baptist Church' in Windsor, Vermont.) re- 
quested a dismission, which v/as reluctantly granted, by his affec- 
tionate people. 

Mr. Elton was succeeded in the pastoral office by the late lamen- 
ted Gammell, December 10th, 1823. Mr. Gammell's career was 
short, (but brilliant ;) for on the 31st of May, 1827, he suddenly 
expired, in the full hope of a glorious immortality. His death was 
not only very deeply afflicting to his family, and the Church of God, 
but lamented by thousands who had with pleasure hung upon his 
lips, as the ambassador of Heaven, and listened to the impassioned 
eloquence of his soul. 

On the 27th of September following, the Rev. John O. Choclis 



130 APPENDIX. 

was inducted into the pastoral office of the Church, by the usuaa 
ceremony of ordination. On the 3d of January, 1833, Mr. Choules 
tendered his resignation as Pastor of the Church, which resignatiom 
was accepted on the 25th of the same month. ' 

In December, 1833, Rev. John Dowling was called to take the; 
pastoral charge of the Church, which call he accepted, and on thei 
27th of March following, he was publicly recognised as their Pas^ 
tor, by installation. On the 20th of July, 183C, Mr. Dowling ten-i 
dered his resignation, in order to take the pastoral charge of thd 
West Baptist Church, in the city of New-York, which resignation! 
was accepted. j 

The present Pastor, Rev. Timothy G. Freeman, was invited loi 
become the Pastor of this Church, on the 15th of January, 1837/ 
which invitation he accepted, and was set apart to that office, oni 
the 16th of March following, by the imposition of hands and of, 
piayer. 

This Church has recently erected a very large and splendid' 
house of worship, which together with the organ, independent of 
the lot, cost nearly eighteen thousand dollars. 



APPENDIX. 131 



NOTE C. 

The exact time when the Society of Friends or Quakers, formed 
themselves into a body for Church government, cannot now be ex- 
actly stated. When William Leddra and Marmadukc Stevenson 
came to Newport, in the year 1G58 or 9, they found their brethren 
here; and Daniel Gould, the first minister they have any account 
of in Newport, went to Boston with them, whom they hanged, and 
severely whipped Gould at the carriage of a great gun, as appears 
by his account written by himself, and published in the year 1700 

The first records of the monthly meeting, commenced in the 
year 1C7C. But it is evident that they were formed into a Society 
previous to that time, as John Burnyeat, a minister here from Eng- 
land, speaks in his journal of attending a yearly meeting in New- 
port, as early as the year 1C71, and George Fox, the following year, 
IC72, which was held at the house of William Coddington. The 
irst records of the yearly meeting commence in the year 1G83, by 
ill which, a tradition existing among them appears to be true, that 
the first records were burned in the house in which they were kept, 
ind accounts for their not being able to determine the exact time 
hey were founded as a Society. 

In early times, the Society was very large, about one half the 
DOpulation in 1700, being of that persuasion, and in that year they 
3uilt the present meeting-house,* in which they now worship. — 
There have been many ministers, and other conspicuous members 
)f that Society, who lived in Newport and its vicinity. The most 
iistinguishcd ministers who appeared among them, were Daniel 
Grould, Jacob Molt, John Hewlett, Ebenezer Slocum, Thomas 
uornell, Samuel Freeborn, William Anthony, Gov. John Wan- 
ion, Joseph Wanton, Dr. Clarke Rodman, grand-father of the 
)resent Clarke Rodman, John Casey, Christopher Townsend, Joseph 
Mitchell, Isaac Lawton, and David Buffum, with many others. 

Mr. Bull says, there was a Friends' meeting-house in Newport, 
ong before this was built, probably soon after they came to this 
lountry. It stood on the East side of Farewell-street, opposite the 
Coddington burial-place — which house was taken down in 1705— 
indsome of the materials worked into that which is now the Nortli 
•oom of the present meeting-house, which extends 30 feet North 
jf the main building. 



132 APPENDIX. 

Since the revolutionary war, the Society has decreased in New- 
port, and on the Island. There are, however, a respectable num- 
ber, who meet both at Newport and at Portsmouth, and hold regu- 
lar meetings in the middle of the week. Previous to the war of the 
revolution, the present house was well filled, above and below; 
but at that time, many of its most wealthy members removed to 
other places, and never returned — and it is now remarked, that 
there are few settlements of Friends in the State of Vermont, and 
the Northern and Western parts of New-York, where the seed of 
Rhode-Island is not to be found. And it is now easily shown, that 
within forty years, more of the Society have removed from the 
Island, than now dwell upon it. 

This Society, at one period of the settlement, say from 1660, 
down to I76U, were very influential in the government of the Colo- 
ny. A large proportion of its Governors and other officers, were of 
that denomination. Among whom may be enumerated William 
Coddington, Nicholas Easton, John Easton, Walter Clarke, and 
Henry Bull, who died the last of the first settlers; and John Wan- 
ton, Gideon Wanton, and Gov. Hopkins, were all members of the 
Society. John Wanton was a very eminent and popular preacher 
among them. But, it was found that such offices were inconsistent 
with their profession of religion, and of latter years it is uncommon 
for them to be elected, where military or criminal questions are in- 
volved. 

Under the government of this State, they have from the begin- 
ning enjoyed far greater civil and religious liberty, than in any 
other. Here, their yearly meeting is held, wiiich brings together a 
large concourse of that body, from different parts of New-England, 
and frequently, there are attendants from many other parts of the 
United States, as well as occasional visiters from England and Ire- 
land. On these occasions, no people receive a more respectful at- 
tention, and every class of Christians is glad to see them coming 
into town, in June, when their annual meeting is held. They have 
for some time contemplated removing the yearly meeting to some 
place where there are more of the Society; but it is apprehended, 
that there is no place in New-England, where their rights and 
privileges will be better secured, or where thoN mass of the popula- 
tion will so cordially receive them. 

That part of Newport called Easton's Point, was once wholly 
the property of the Society of Friends, and till within fijrty or fifty 
years, was under quit-rent to them. Since that time, they have suld 



APPENDIX. 133 

out the greater part of the quit-rented lots. There are, however, 
some unsold; and about twenty acres that have been used for 
meadows and gardens, still remain their property. 

The Point was originally the properly of Gov. Nicholas Easton, 
who, on his marriage with Ann Clayton, gave it by deed to lier, 
and confirmed it in his will to her, as his wife. In the year 1C94, a 
certain William Edwards, a member of the Society, gave by wil^ 
to his executors, who were Daniel Gould, Edward Thurston, Wil- 
liam James, and John Lurkett, the residue of hi.s estate, for the ben- 
efit of that Society. With a part of which residue, in the year 
1698, they purchased of Ann Bull, widow of Gov. Henry Bull, and 
previously widow of Nicholas Easton, the Point farm, consisting of 
about sixty-five acres, part of which in 1714, they laid out in house 
lots, and made a second division in 1725, which they rented out at 
a very low rate. The Society has the original plat, and regular 
minutes of the proprietors, ever since. 



13 



134 APPENDIX- 



NOTE D. 

The Sabbatariarij or Seventh-day Baptist Church, was constituted 
in 1671. Several members of BIr. Clarke's Church, entertaining 
conscientious scruples in regard to keeping the first day of the 
week as the Christian Sabbath, withdrew from the fellowship of 
that Church, and organized themselves into a Church, with Mr. 
William Hiscox as their leader. He died May 24th, 1704, in the 
6Gth year of his age. 

The second Pastor of this Church, was Rev. William Gibson, 
of London. He died March 12lh, 1717, aged 79. He was succeed- 
ed by Rev. Joseph Crandall, who died in 1737. Their next 
Pastor was Rey. Joseph Maxon. He was ordained as an evangelist at 
Newport, October 8th, 1732, and preached alternately at Newport 
and Westerly, serving the Church with great faithfulness, until his 
death, which occurred September, 1748. 

Elder John Maxson was the fifth Pastor of this Church, from the 
year 1754, until his death, in March, 1778. 

Mr. Ebenezer David, who was converted in Brown University, 
during his collegiate course of study, became a member of this 
Church, and was ordained May 31st, 1775. He accepted the place 
of Chaplain in the army, in which place he died, near Philadelphia. 
March 19ih, 1778. 

Mr. William Bliss became their next Pastor. He was admitted 
a member of the Church, June, 1764, was ordained an evangelist at 
Hopkinton, December 7th, 1779, and was installed Pastor of this 
Church, December 25th, 1780. He continued faithfully to dis- 
charge the duties of his office, until his death, which occurred May 
4th, 1808, aged 81 years. 

The Rev. Henri Burdick, the present Pastor of the Church, 
was admitted as a member of this body, January 30th, 1802, and 
was ordained to the woik of the Gospel ministry, December 10th. 
1807. 

This Church previous to the revolutionary war, embraced a num- 
ber of talented and influential men. The Hon. Samuel Ward, who 
for several years was Governor of Rhode-Island, and a member also 
of the Continental Congress, belonged to this Church. But the war 



APPENDIX. 135 

scattered them, and greatly interrupted their prosperity. Since that 
time, this Church has never been able to recover her former emi- 
nence, and for several years past having been but few, if any addi- 
tions, the Church has greatly decreased, so that its present number is 
very small. 



136 APPENDIX. 



NOTE E. 

Of the first settlement of the Jews in this town, we are able to fur- 
nish only a brief and imperfect history. It is to be regretted that 
materials for transmitting to posterity the history of that ancient and 
honorable race of men, who once formed so large and respectable a 
portion of the population of Newport, have not been preserved. — 
There is now, in the Town Clerk's office, the copy of a deed (cer- 
tified by William Coddington, Town Clerk, October 19th, 1677, 
Book No. 3, page 11, of land evidences) of a certain lot of land, 
thirty feet square, sold by Nathaniel Dickens, to Mordicai Campan- 
nall and Moses Packeckoe, for a burial-place for the Jews. This 
deed is dated Feb. 28th, 1G77, which shows that some of the descen- 
dants of Abraham found an asylum of rest from oppression and per- 
secution, on this Island of the sea, at an early period of the settle- 
ment. How long prior to the purchase of the burial lot, we have 
no means of ascertaining. The first Jews who settled in Newport, 
were of Dutch extract, from Curraso, and were not possessed of the 
wealth, intelligence, or enterprise, which so eminently distinguish- 
ed those who subsequently settled in this town; which, with the 
smallness of their number, accounts for the lapse of time from the 
first Jewish settlement in Newport, to the erection of the Syna- 
gogue. It is not probable, however, that during all this time, they 
maintained no regular form of public worship ; and there is a tradi- 
tion amongst the most ancient people of Newport, now living, that 
from their earliest settlement here, public religious worship was 
regularly maintained in private houses. 

Between the years of 1750-60, many families of wealth and dis- 
tinction came to this country from Spain and Portugal, and settled 
in Newport, which contributed largely to the intelligence and com- 
mercial prosperity of the town. Many of them engaged in the mer- 
cantile profession, and Mr. Aaron Lopez owned more shipping, and 
was more extensively engaged in merchandise, than any other man 
in Newport. The present Synagogue was erected in 1762, and 
dedicated to the God of Abraham, with great pomp and magnifi- 
cence, according to Jewish custom, December 2d, 1763.* 

* The Synagogue was thronged with worshippers from its erec- 
tion until the war commenced, and the scriptures were publicly read, 
and the God of Abraham worshipped in the Hebrew language in 
Newport, by more than three hundred of the dispersed house of 
Israel, up to that t'"ip. 



APPENDIX. 137 

About this time, 1763, and long after, flourished the distinguished 
families of Lopez, Rivera, Pollock, Levi, Hart, and their late re- 
spected priest, Isaac Touro. Abraham Touro, son of the priest, 
died in Boston, in the year 1822, leaving a fund of 10,000 dollars for 
the support of the Synagogue and buvifil place, both of which are 
kept in good order. He also left 5,000 dollars for the purpose of 
keeping the street in repair, on which they front. 

The revolutionary war, so disastrous to the commercial interest 
and prosperity of Newport, induced the greater part of them to 
leave the town; and after the conclusion of the war, the remnant 
that was left gradually declined, until not an individual now re- 
mains. Moses Lopez, nephew of the celebrated Aaron Lopez, was 
the last resident Jew in Newport. A few years previous to his 
death, he removed to New- York. His remains were brought to 
Newport, and interred by the side of his brother Jacob, in the 
burial-place of their fathers. Moses Lopez was a man of no com- 
mon abilities — an honorable merchant, deep in the mathematics, 
and of uncommon mechanical skill. He was pleasant and interest- 
ing in conversation, and an ingenious defender of his religious be- 
lief 

There is one incident in the history of the late and respectable 
Jacob R. Rivera, which ought to be recorded as highly honorable t(» 
himself, and the society of Jews to which he belonged. At one 
period of his life, he failed in business, in which he was extensively 
engaged as a merchant ; but after a few years of successful enter- 
prise, he recovered his fortune, and made a dinner party, to which he 
invited all his creditors, who, when they sat down at the table, 
each one found the exact sum of money due him, with the interest 
calculated to the day. The society of Jews generally, who settled 
in this town, have left a reputation for integrity and uprightness, 
which should perpetuate their memory from generation to genera- 
tion. 



12* 



138 APPENDIX. 



NOTE F. 

Trinity Church, in Newport, was formed n°ar the close of iho 
17th century. About the year 1698, the worship of God according 
to the rites of the Church of England, was commenced in Rhode- 
Island. The name of the Rev. Mr. Lockyer appears as the fiist 
Clergyman of the English Church, who performed divine service in 
Newport, though it is uncertain how long his ministry here was 
continued. 

In 1702, a handsome Church had been built, linished without and 
within, containing in all forty -six pews, thirty-six below, and ten in 
the gallery. The same year, the Church wardens wrote to the 
Bishop of London, and to the Society for the Propagation of the 
Gospel in foreign parts, for aid " towards promoting their Church.'' 
And in 1704, the Society in England -appointed the Rev. James 
HoNEYMAN, their missionary here, who discharged the duties of his 
mission with great diligence and success, for nearly half a century. 

In 172-^, the Episcopal congregation in Newport had grown too 
numerous to be accommodated with seats in the old Church, and it 
was proposed to erect a new one. The new building which wa."* 
erected the following year, and has since been lengthened, is the 
one now occupied by the congregation of Trinity Church, and is in 
excellent repair. Tiie old Church was given to the people of the 
town of Warwick, who had no Church of their own. 

For nearly two years, from the latter part of the year 1728, the 
Rev. Mr. Honeyman derived much valuable assistance from tho 
celebrated Dr. Berkley, afterward Bishop of Cloyne, then residing 
on Rhode-Island, a short distance from Newport. During his resi- 
dence in this vicinity, Dean Berkley preached every Sabbath, and 
aided the rector in his parochial duties. After he had returned to 
England, in the year 1733, he presented Mr. Honeyman's congre- 
gation with a fine toned, excellent organ, which still retains its place 
in Trinity Church. 

On the arrival of the organ, " at a vestry, held at Trinity Church, 
in Newport, on Monday the 25th day of February, 1733, the Rev. 
Mr. Honeyman was desired to draw up a letter of thanks to the 
^ev. Mr. Dean, Berkley, for liis generous present of an organ to^ 



APPENDIX. 139' 

this Church ; and likewise a letter of thanks to Mr. Henry New- 
man, for his care about, and shipping the same, in order to be sent 
to England as soon as conveniently may be." And subsequently, 
''at a vestry, held in Trinity Church, in Newport, on Friday the 
8th day of March, 1733," it was '< voted that the letter of thanks to 
the Rev. Mr. Dean Berkley, fbr his present of the organ to this 
Church, and likewise the letter of thanks to Mr. Henry Newman, 
for his care and trouble in getting the same done, and shipping 
thereof, drawn up by the Rev. Rlr. lloneyman, is approved of and 
signed in this vestry, and ordered to be sent home foriljwith." 

The same year, in the month of August following, the thanks of 
the vestry were returned to Jahlcel Brenton, Esq. for his " generous 
donation" of the clock now in the tower of this Church. In 1750, 
the Rev. Mr. Honeyman having departed this life, the Rev. Jere- 
miah Learning, who had in the year 1718, been received as school- 
master, catcchist, and assisti<nt minister, was requested to officiate 
as minister of Trinity Church, until the congregation could be sup- 
plied with a settled minister. 

The Rev. Thomas Pollen arrived from England in May, 1754, 
having been appointed by the Society for propagating the Gospel, 
their missionary for Trinity Church. He was on his arrival, cor- 
dially welcomed by the congregation, who directed a letter of 
thanks to the Society, for sending them a minister so satisfactory to 
them. The pastoral relation so conspicuously commenced, was 
however of no long duration. For some difficulties arisi.ig be- 
tween himself and his flock, he decided to leave them in Nov. 1760, 
little moieTthan six years from his first arrival at Newport. 

Mr. Pollen was immediately succeeded by the Rev. Marmaduke 
Brown, being unanimously elected to officiate as minister of Trinity 
Church. A coinmiltee was appointed to write to the Society in 
England, " desiring their favor in settling him as their missionary 
to them." On the 18th of January, 17C2, it was voted that the 
*' Church might be enlarged to the Eastward," provided that thos« 
gentlemen who were willing to undertake it, would give security to 
the Church, that they would make tll-e addition without its being 
any expense to the other members of the Church. The Church 
was accordingly enlarged, so as to admit of the erection of about 
thirty additional pews below, besides the corresponding ones in 
the galleries. The present steeple was buiU ii\ 17G8. 



140 APPENDIX. 

A successful application was made to the General Assembly of 
Rhode-Island, in 1769, for an act of incorporation; and a "set of 
rules and regulations for the Church," adopted, " agreeable to the 
charter granted by the Colony." 

Mr. Brown continued his connexion with Trinity Church, until 
his death, which took place on the 16th of March, 1771. 

After the death of Mr. Brown, the attention of Trinity Church 
congregation was directed to the Rev. George Bisset, who had 
since the year 1767, been engaged as schoolmaster and assistant 
minister. They voted " that the Rev. Mr. Bisset be requested to 
officiate as minister of the Church, " That a letter be written to the 
Society informing them of the deatli of their worthy minister, the 
late Rev. Mr. Brown, and soliciting the continuation of the mis- 
sion," and " that the Rev. Mr. Bisset be recommended as a suitable 
person to succeed Mr. Brown and Mr. Honeyman." The Society 
for propagating the Gospel in foreign parts, refusing to give any 
further salary to the minister of Trinity Church, his entire support 
devolved on the congregation, who on the 28th of October, 1771, 
unanimously chose the Rev. Mr. Bisset for their minister. 

May 11th, 1772, the Rev. Willard Wheeler was chosen as- 
sistant minister and schoolmaster ; but not giving satisfaction with 
regard to iiis school, he was allowed to discontinue his services 
after the 8th of April, 1776. 

After a vacancy of many years, occasioned by the removal of the 
Rev. Mr. Bisset, who left Newport with the British troops, in the 
unhappy period of the revolutionary war; a meeting of tiie Trinity 
Church congregation was held, August 27th, 1786, which resulted 
in the settlement of the Rev. James Sayre, of Fairfield, Con., as 
their rector. Mr. Sayer's ministry, though of short duration in the 
Church, appears from the number of baptisms recorded, and other 
parochial notices, to have been for a lime at least, very successful. 
But divisions arising in the congregation, it was brought to a close 
in a little more than two years, when the Church was again vacant, 
until the 28ih of December, 1789. 

The Rev. William Smith, of St. Paul's Church, in Narragansett, 
nt that time succeeded Mr. Sayre, as rector of Trinity Church. — 
Had Mr. Smith's prudence been equal to his talents and learning, 
he might, with the divine blessing, have been instrumental in heal- 
ing the unhappy divisions among his people, and restoring the 
Church to her former prosperity. The time, however, had not 



APPENDIX. 



14t 



come for this Church to arise from her depression, and put on tho 
garments of glory and beauty. Mr. Smith's pastoral charge and 
residence in JNewport, terminated April 12th, 17<J7; when having 
informed the congregation that lie had accepted a call to the Church 
at Norvvalk, Conn., he embarked with his family, " to enter on his 
new charge." 

If in consequence of the long vacancy and unfavorable changes 
in society, which had been occasioned by the American revolution, 
and the unprofitable dissensions which had still more recently oc- 
curred, the congregation of Trinity Church was in a divided and 
scattered condition, toward the close of the year 1707, the year 
1798 commenced under happier auspices, and proved both to the 
Church and their new rector, the commencement of a " series of 
years of mutual satisfaction, comfort, and joy. It was on Sunday, 
the 7th day of January, 1798, that the Rev. Theodore Deiion, 
afterward Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church in South 
Carolina, preached his first sermon in Trinity Church, after he had 
accepted the ollice of rector. 

Mr, Dehon, a native of Boston, and a graduate of Harvard Uni- 
versity, had a few days before completed his 21st year; and so favor- 
able was the impression made by his f rst discourse, *• upon com- 
mencing the duties of his ministry," that the vestry unanimously 
requested " the favor of a copy thereof for the press." By the pru- 
dent, judicious, and conciliating conduct of the rector, the differen- 
ces and misunderstandings which had so long existed in the 
Church, were entirely removed. The people became united, and 
the harmony of the congregation was never again interrupted while 
he remained among them. Mr. Dehon was occasionally assisted 
in the duties of the ministry, 1st, by the Rev, Abraham Bronson ; 
2d, by the Rev. Clement Merriam ; 3d, by the Rev. John Ward ; 
which last Rev. gentleman also taught the Trinity Church school. 

Mr. Dehon continued in charge of Trinity Church about twelve 
years, during which time, the parsonage house was repaired and 
enlarged, the Church school-house was erected, and the vestry 
room was built at the North East corner of the Church. The piety, 
talents, and eloquence of this truly Christian niinister, his undimin- 
ished popularity, and the flourishing state of his congregation, led 
to repeated calls from other Churches. And in the winter of 1S09- 
10, to the deep regret of his flock at Newport, Dr. Dehon resigned 
the charge of their Church, and accepted the rectorship of St. 
Michael's Church, in Charleston, South Carolina. 



142 APPENDIX. 

Trinity Church being again without a rector, the committee ap- 
pointed, wrote to the lit. Rev. Dr. Jarvis, Bishop of Connecticut, 
who recommended the Rev. Salmon Wheaion, then assistant 
minister of Trinity Church, New-Haven, as a suitable person to fill 
the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of the Rev. Dr. Dehon ; 
and in July, 1810, he was unanimously chosen rector of Trinity 
Church in Newport, but was prevented by his engagements at New ■ 
Haven, from entering upon the duties of his office, until late in the 
month of October, following. Mr. Wheaton was from Litchfiekl 
county, in Connecticut, and had five years before, graduated at Yah; 
College, New-Haven. He happily succeeded in reconciling some 
difficulties which had arisen among the congregation, while they 
had no rector; and harmony being restored, the Church continued 
to enjoy its accustomed prosperity. Measures were immediately 
taken to establish a '< permanent fund for the better support of 
Trinity Church," which by subscriptions, donations, and legacies, 
in a few years, amounted to ten thousand dollars. 

The annual income from this fund has since been applied ac- 
cording to its original intention. Meetings of the vestry, for trans- 
acting the business of the Church, have been held monthly. The 
buildings belonging to the corporation have been kept in good re- 
pair, and order and regularity have generally prevailed. The con- 
gregation, though constantly subjected to frequent losses, by the re- 
moval of many of its valuable members from Newport, gradually 
increased ; numbers were added by baptism, and many were ad. 
mitted to the holy communion. 

In 1833, the Episcopalians had become so numerous in Newport, 
that it was by some thought advisable, to attempt the establishment 
of a second Episcopal Church, which was shortly after commenced. 
Trinity Church formed the necleus of the new congregation — nearly 
thirty families and a still larger number of communicants. She has 
in a measure recovered from the loss thus sustained, by the acces- 
sion of other families, and by the addition of other members to the 
communion. This Church is still under the pastoral care of th« 
Rev. Dr. Wheaton. 



APPENDIX. 143 



NOTE G. 

The First Congregational ChurcJi in Newport was constituted in 
1720, when Mr. Nathaniel Clapp was ordained its Pastor. In 
1728, several members of this Church being dissatisfied with the 
administration of Mr. Clapp, withdrew, and a new Church was or- 
ganized, under the pastoral care of the Rev. John Adams. 

Mr. Clapp continued the pastoral care of the First Church until 
his death, which occurred the 30th of October, 1745, in the 78th 
year of his age. From May, 1740, to June, 1743, Mr. Clapp was 
assisted in the ministry by the Rev. Joseph Gardiner, as his col- 
league ; and from June, 1744, to the following May, by the Rev. 
Jonathan Helyer. 

Mr. Adams was succeeded, in the pastoral office of the Second 
Church, by Rev. James Searing, on the 21st of April, 1731. 

In October, 1746, the Rev. William Vinal was ordained Pastor 
of the First Church, and dismissed 1708. 

In October, ]755, Rev. Ezra Styles was ordained Pastor of 
j tlie Second Church. 

April 11, Rev. Samuel Hopkins was installed Pastor of the 
First Congregational Church, which office he faithfully continued 
to discharge until his death, in 1803. The ministry of Dr. Hop- 
kins was interrupted by the war with Great-Britain. He removed 
his family at the commencement of hostilities, and in 1776, when 
the British took possession of the town, he left it, and retired to 
his family. But in the spring of 1780, he returned, and resumed 
his labors with his scattered and impoverished flock, with renew- 
ed zeal and faithfulness. 

During the war, Rev. Dr. Styles had accepted the Presidency 
of Yale College ; consequently, at the close of the war, the Sec- 
ond Church found themselves without a Pastor, and continued 
without a settled minister until the year 1786, when the Rev. Wil- 
liam Patten was ordained as their Pastor. 

Sept. 12, 1804, Rev. Caleb T. Tenney was installed Pastor of 
the First Church, and was dismissed in May, 1815. 

In August, 1815, Rev. Calvin Hitchcock was installed over the 
First Church, and dismissed August, 1820. 



144 APPENDIX. 

July, 1821, Rev. Samuel Austin, D. D. was installed Pastor oi 
the same, and was dismissed in 1826. 

March, 1830, Rev. William H. Beecher was ordained as their 
Pastor, and dismissed June, 1833. 

Mr. Patten was dismissed from his pastoral charge of the Second 
Church, in April, 1833, and during the following summer the 
Churches were united in one body. 

The present Pastor of the Church, Rev. A. HENRy Dumont, was 
installed Sept. 26, 1833. Soon after the settlement of the Rev. Mr. 
Dumont, in the pastoral charge of the United Congregational Church 
and Society in Newport, a new and elegant meeting-house was 
erected on Spring-street, which, together with the well-known, 
popular talents of the Rev. gentleman who officiates in that house, 
secures a large and intelligent congregation. 



APPENDIX. 145 



NOTE H. 

In 1758, the Moravians or United Brethren constituted a Church 
in Newport. The origin of this Church is as follows : In 1749, 
two Missionaries, Matthew Reutz and George Haske, stopped at 
Newport, on their way to Surinam. While here, they formed an 
acquaintance with the Rev. Timothy Peckham, a Sabbatarian 
preacher, who kindly received them at his house, and introduced 
them to several pious persons, who desired them to preach to them 
the unsearchable riches of Christ. This request was complied with, 
and at their departure, deep solicitude was expressed by their hear- 
ers, that a teacher from among the Brethren, might be sent to gather 
a congregation in Newport. 

These Brethren no sooner arrived at their place of destination, 
than they wrote to Betlilehem, (Penn.) and requested that some of 
the Brethren at that place, if possible, should make them a visit 
Soon after, two Bretliren from Bethlehem made them a visit, and 
others from time to time, until the constitution of the Church, in 
1758. 

The first Pastor of this Church, was the Rev. Richard Utley. 

The second Pastor was Rev. Thomas Yarrell. 

The third Pastor was Rev. Frederick Smith. 

These were Pastors of the Church, from its constitution until the 
year 1765. 

The fourth Pastor was the Rev. Lewis Rusmeyer, who held 
this office from 17GC to 1783. 

From 1785 to 1802, the Rev. Frederick Smith held the pastoral 
office of the Church. 

The sixth Pastor was Rev. Samuel Towle, from 1803 to 1819. 

His successor was Rev. George G. Miller, who remained with 
the Church as their Paslor but one year. 

In 1821, Rev. John G. Herman became the Pastor of this 
Church, the duties of which office he continued to discharge until 
1823. 

The ninth Pastor, Rev. Charles A. Van Vleck, served the 
Church from 1827 to 1834. The tenth and present Pastor is Rev . 
Charles F. Seidel, who commenced his pastoral labors in 1837. 
13 



APPENDIX. 
146 



NOTE I. 



The Fourth Baptist Church in Newport, was organized June 
23d, 1783. The original members of the Church, were nine males ) 
and these were chiefly from the Second Baptist Church in this 
town, who not feeling satisfied to remain in that Church, withdrew ' 
and formed this. They had no definite creed drawn up, or expres- 
sed ; but were established on the broad principle, making Christ- 
ian experience and character the only indispensable terms of fel- 
lowship and communion, as appears by a vote passed in church- ; 
meeting, December 28th, 1783, " we unitedly agree to extend our 
fellowship to all Christians maintaining a good character, and to 
receive the bread in communion from the hands of any Gospel min- 
ister of Christ, in good character." Also, the liberty and duty to 
prophecy c:- exhort, in all or any meetings of the Church, was most 
fully recognised and maintained. 

Church-meeting, April 17th, 1794, " Voted, that the duty and 
privilege of the improvement of gifts, be recognised by the Church, 
and due attention thereto, mutually recommended in all meetings for 
public worship, without distinction of lime or place. Ordered, that 
u record be made of the rights, liberties, and privileges of the 
Church, agreeable to our first engagement." This Church was 
decidedly Anti-Slavery. Church-meeting, Nov. 30th, 1783, " after 
looking to God as usual, unitedly agreed that we could not receive 
any into our fellowship, nor approbate them to improve in any 
way, that hold their fellow creatures in slavery during life, when 
they have not in any wise forfeited their liberty." 

The first ministers in this Church, were Rev. Caleb Green 
and William Moore, who were ordained Nov. 27th, 1796, and 
were succeeded by John Okmsbee, a member of the Baptist Church 
in North Providence. 

Blr. Ormsbee was ordained the 14th of September, 1821, and re- 
moved to Wickford in 1822. Between this time and 1826, Elderj 
Green and Elder James Graham preached with them a short time 
the last being invited to become their Pastor, but was under thej 
necessity of returning to Beaufort, S. C, in consequence of the de- 
cease of the minister of the Church in that place. 



APPENDIX. 147 

Their next minister was James A. M'Kenzie, who was ordained 
to the pastoral office of the Church, August 12th, 1830. Mr. 
M'Kenzie was succeeded by the Rev. Samukl Robbins, of Buxton, 
Me. November, 1835. 

Mr. M'Kenzie again succeeded to the pastoral office of the 
Church, in April, 1837, and is the present Pastor. This Church in 
1829, had become nearly extinct for the want of a Pastor's care and 
labor, although our beloved brother, Green Burroughs,* wiiose 
praise is in all tiie Churches, had done all he could to sustain it. — 
Application was made to the First Baptist Church, for help: when 
bro. M'Kenzie, Dea. George Tiliey, John Pratt, and Charles Tilley, 
were dismissed fiom the First Church, and united with them. — 
Since that time, the Church has gradually increased, both in nume- 
rical and moral power. 

Their first meeting-house was in Division-street, which they sold 
to, and is now occupied by our colored friends. The house they 
now occupy and own, is the Clarke-etreet meeting-house, whidi 
ihey took possession of, August 30th, 1835. This Church is asso- 
ciated with the Free Will Baptists. 

♦ Since deceased 



J48 APPENDIX. 



NOTE K. 

Previous to the year 1805, Newport was occasionally visited by 
Methodist Clergymen, having the oversight oi that district of coun- 
try, in which Newport was situated. Among these were the 
Rev. Messrs. Garretson, Lee, Cooper, Chapin, Nickerman, Hall, 
Pickering, Taylor, Bishop, Lyel, Coxe, &c., who, \ve are informed, 
left fiuits of their labor, which were gathered into the Churches, 
then established. 

In December, 1805, the Presiding Elder of this district was 
pleased to send to this place the Rev. R. Hubbarp, who com- 
menced his mission in the First Baptist meeting-house, under tho 
pastoral care of the Rev. Michael Eddy. 

Mr. Hubbard finding himself encouraged to proceed, applied for 
the use of the Seventh-day Baptist house, to be used on the Sabbath 
until something permanent could be had ; but for some reason not 
at present known, it was refused. He succeeded, however, in ob- 
taining the Council Chamber, in the State House, where he con- 
tinued to dispense the word of life, until his congregation so in- 
creased, as made it necessary to remove to the Representatives 
Chamber, in the same building. Here he continued his labors until 
the Lord graciously opened the way, and gave to his Methodist 
children the beautiful edifice in which they now worship. This 
building was erected in 1806, and dedicated and used (though in an 
imperfect state) in May, 1807. 

It should be borne in mind, that the ministry of this Church is 
strictly itinerent ; no preacher being stationed for more than one 
year, and none permitted to remain in charge of the same Society, 
more than two successive years. This will account for the number 
of preachers that have officiated in this Church. The first of whom 
was the Rev. Mr. Hubbard, who continued here two years. He 
was succeeded by Rev. Messrs. Merwin, Webb, Frost, and Lam- 
bert, when the latter was succeeded by Mr. Webb, who became a 
local preacher, and remained with the Church nine years. Mr. 
Webb then united himself again with the Conference, and was 
succeeded by Messrs. Mudge, Norris, Puff'er, Tucker, Kent, Lord, 
Jansen, Ely, and the present Pastor, Rev. Jonathan Cady, under 
most of whose labors the Lord has been graciously pleased to pour 



APPENDIX. 149 

out his Spirit, whicli not unfrequently carried its reviving influen- 
ces through the whole heritage of God, in this place. 

It is but just perhaps to remark, that in the early days of Method- 
ism, in Newport, its doctrine being in some respects new or misun- 
derstood, or perhaps both, was sustained by a large proportion of 
wealth ; and for some years, was a fashionable place of worship. — 
But as their doctrines became better understood, and continued to bo 
enforced with a zeal becoming the faitliful ambassadors of Jesus 
Christ, there were many who could not bear a bold and discrimina- 
ting exhibition of the truth, and the congregation somewhat de- 
creased, until circumstances painful to the Christian community, 
(over which the Church had no control) transpired, which so divi- 
ded and subdivided it, as at this day, to leave but few in compari- 
son with its former number. But God has not forsaken them in all 
their trials, nor suifered his faithfulness to fail. They are now in- 
creasing in numerical and moral power. They are a little band 
closely united in the bonds of Christian fellowship and love, and 
destined, we trust, to exert a more powerful influence in this com- 
munity, than in the day of their greatest prosperity. 

There is also a small Church of the Methodist denomination in 
Poitsmouth, on the North part of the Island, which has a conven- 
ient house of worship, and is regularly supplied with the ministry 
fifthe word of life. 



13* 



150 APPENDIX 



NOTE L. 

In 1824, several individuals of the people of color, in this town, 
(among whom was Newport Gardiner, who subsequently died at 
Liberia,) formed themselves into a religious society, under a written 
constitution, by the name of the " Colored Union Church and 
Society, in Newport, Khode-Island." The object of this associa- 
tion, as seen in the preamble lo the constitution, was their own 
mutual edification, the prosperity and happiness of their children, 
and the promotion of the best interests of the people of color, gene- 
rally. And although they have never enjoyed the labors of a set- 
tled Pastor, yet, such has been their zeal for the house of the Lord, 
and such their unceasing devotion to the object of this union, that 
they have constantly maintained religious worship among them- 
selves, (when no preacher could be obtained) at least once on each 
Sabbath, from that time. 

This Society, although small in numerical power, and limited in 
facilities of prosperity, have persevered with a zeal worthy of the 
Philanthropist and Christian, until they now occupy and own a very 
neat and commodious house of worship. Since the purchase of the 
house in 1835, it has been raised, and a basement story added, 
which is occupied as a school room, &c. &c. The upper apartment 
has also been remodeled and undergone a thorough repair, and is 
furnished with regular slips. There is also among them a society 
for promoting the education of colored children and youth, called 
the '' School Fund Association," which sustains an instructress 
the greater part of the year. God has graciously smiled upon and 
prospered the work of their hands ; and during the past winter, 
filled their temple with his presence and glory, subduing the hearts 
of many among them to the obedience of the faith, while such who 
had been looking for the salvation of God to come out of Zion, 
have been made to sing, " Lo ! this is our God; we have waited 
for him, he will save us. This is the Lord ; we have waited for 
him ; we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation." 



APPENDIX. 151 



NOTE M. 



Soon after the extensive woiks at Fort Adams were commenced 
by the United States in 1823. Newport was occasionally visited by 
a Roman Catholic Priest, to loolc after the spiritual interests of that 
class of our population, belonging to the Catholic Church, many of 
whom had been induced to take up their residence in Newport, by 
finding employment at the Fort. 

The Rev. Robbrt D. VVoodly. a native ofVirgiuia, was the first 
Catholic Priest that organized a congregation in this place; for the 
accommodation of vv'hich, he purchased of E. Trevett, Esq. in 1828, 
tjie School house in Darney-street, where divine worship was main- 
tained for several years. Mr. Woodly resigned his charge of the 
mission in 1831, and was immediately succeeded by the Rev. John 
CoRRY, who officiated in that congregation, until August, 1837. 

In the spring of 1833, Mr Corry opened a subscription for the 
erection of a Church, which was commenced the latter part of that 
- same year, and completed in 183G. The house is spacious and well 
finished, and occupies a commanding site at the head of Barney- 
street. The estimated cost of building, lot, &c., was about $4,000; 
all of whi('h was contributed and paid by the Catholics, at Fort 
Adams. 

On the 20th of August, 1837, the Church was dedicated under 
the title of " St. Joseph," by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Fenwick, of 
Boston, Mass. On the following day, the Rev. Mr. Corry, under 
whose superintendence the Church had been erected and comple- 
ted, resigned his charge of the mission, and was succeeded by the 
Rev. CoNsTANTiNK Lee, the present rector of the Catholic congre- 
gation, in this town. 

It is but an act of justice, perhaps, for me to say, that although 
the Catholics most scrupulously and pertinaciously regard their 
own rights and ceremonies of religious vvorship, yet, they studiously 
avoid all interference with, and uniformly respect the rights of all 
denominations in the place. And this feeling toward the Catholics, 
so for as I have been able to ascertain, is mutual, and reciprocated 
by every sect of i^n.^estant Christians in the town ; demonstrating 
that the great principles of religious toleration and liberty of con- 



152 APPENDIX. 

science, established on this Island two hundred years ago, aa the 
basis of the Colony of Rhode-Island, have come down to us unim- 
paired, and are fully enjoyed by '' peopk of all persuasions." 

The Rev. Mr. Corry, in a letter to the author, speaking of the 
people of Newport, says, "It is but just for me to add, that 1 have 
never seen a town in the United States, among whose inhabitants 
there is less intolerance and religious bigotry. I have for six years, 
been more or less among them, and during that period, none have 
denied me the common civilities of life, because I was a Catholic 
Priest, but always treated me with the greatest respect." And in 
proof of the practical existence of religious toleration in Newport, 
he says, " Our Church stood for upward of two years, with its win- 
dows unprotected by blinds, and during that time, not one pane of 
glass was broken." The Catholic population of Newport, when 
suitable appropriations are made by Government, for the vigorous 
prosecution of the works at Fort Adams, is about four hundred. 



APPENDIX. 153 



NOTE N. 

Early in 1833, the Second Episcopal Parish was formed in ihis 
place, by members of Trinity Church. After the due organization 
of the Parish, and an app'ication to the Episcopal Missionary Con- 
vocation of Rhode-Island, the Rev. John West, the present worthy 
rector of the Church, commenced his labors as the minister of the 
Parish. On the 17ih of March, 1833^ public worship commenced 
in the State House ; from which the congregation soon removed to 
the house of the First Congregational Society, at that time unoccu- 
pied. A subscription was immediately opened for building a new 
Church, which as soon as $6,000 were subscribed, was commenced. 
In June of the following year, the new Church was completed and 
consecrated. The cost of the building, including organ and furni- 
ture, together with the lot, was about $17,000. Of this sum, about 
$11,000 was realized from the sale of i.he pews, and the remainder 
by a noble act of generosity, contributed and paid by individual 
members of the corporation. 

The Parish has now a fund of nearly $5,000 in pews, and of 
the 112 pews in the Church, at least one hundred of them are 
sold or rented. At the present date, this Parish has been but 
five years in existence; and the contemplation of its history af- 
fords many pleasing evidences that the Divine Head of the 
Church has "poured upon it the continual dew of his blessing." 
Accessions have been constantly made to the Church, and on an 
average, the additions to the communion have been about thirty 
a year. 

This Church from its commencement, has enjoyed great do- 
mestic tranquillity and peace. No unhappy difference of opinions 
has arisen among them, resulting in unfriendly dissensions and 
divisions ; or any ihinii found on the pages of her history, to 
tarnish the glory and beauty of the Zion of God. The congrega- 
tion is large, and their attendance on the public and social ser- 
vices of the Church, worthy of imitation, 

This Church has engaged in the cause of missions, with a liberal- 
ity and zeal becoming the dignity of the Christian cliaracter, and 
the magnitude and importance of the great missionary enterprise. 
Their annual contributions for home missionary purposes in Rhode^ 



154 APPENDIX. 

Island, amount to not less than $150, and for foreign missions 
and other benevolent purposes, their contributions equal, if not 
excel that sum. 

In the year 1834, a missionary was sent by the Rhode-Island 
Convocation to Portsmouth, R. I. A Parish was organized under 
the name of St. Paul's Church. Within one year, a respectable 
house of worship was erected, and with the aid of about $1200, in 
contributions from Episcopalians in other places, was entirely paid 
for; and at the same time, a fund was secured in pews for the sup- 
port of the minister, amounting to more than one thousand dollars. 
Tlie labors of a zealous, devoted missionary in that place, have been 
blessed to the gathering of a respectable congregation, and an addi- 
tion of about forty members to the communion of the Church. The 
Rhode-Island Convocation has contributed toward the support of 
the minister of the Parish, up to the present time, nearly 2000 
dollars. 



APPENDIX. ]55 



NOTE O. 

An association of gentlemen friendly lo Unitarian views of doc- 
trine, was formed in this town during tlie month of October, 1835. 
Their earliest meetings for Divine service, were held in the State 
House. In the course of the following month, they purchased of 
the Fourth Baptist Society, in this place, the Church in Mill-street. 
This Church had originally belonged to the First Congregational 
Church and Society, over which the celebrated Dr. Hopkins 
presided for many years, ns Pastor. 

A charter was granted to the association, by the General As- 
sembly of the State, at their January session, in 183C, incorpo- 
rating them as the " Unitarian Congregational Church," in New- 
port. Soon after this, the Society commenced rebuilding and re- 
modelling tlie old house in Mill-street, worshipping in the mean 
time at Masonic Lodge, in Church-street. The work was com- 
pleted in the spring of 1836 ; and for elegance, neatness, and 
taste, in its internal arrangements, is perhaps, unequalled in 
Rhode-Island. 

The new house, (for only the frame of the old building had 
been retained, together with the corner stone, bearing the in- 
scription, *' For Christ and Peace,") was dedicated on the 27th 
of July, that same year. The Rev. Charlf.s T. Brooks, of 
Salem, Mass., was called as the first Pastor, in January, 1837, 
and ordained June 14lh, of the same year. The organization of 
a Church was begun in the summer of 1837. The communion 
of the Lord's supper was first administered on Sunday, October 
3d, and continues to be administered monthly. 



156 APPENDIX. 



NOTE P. 

There are two Cliurches of the Christian denomination on the 
Island, one in Middletown, the other in Portsmouth. The 
Church in Middlelovvn was organized October 14ih, 1828. Their 
first Pastor was the Rev. Harvey jSullings, who served the 
Church with acceptance and success, for nearly five years from 
its constitution. Mr. Sullings subsequently removed to and settled 
in Bristol, and is now Pastor of the Christian Church in that 
place. 

Their second Pastor was the Rev. Elijah Macomber, who 
continued with them until the summer of 1835, when he re- 
quested and received his dismission. The Rev. James Taylor, 
the present Pastor of the Church, was his successor. Mr. Tay- 
lor entered on the duties of his office in this Church, in the 
autumn of 1835, and his labors have been signally blessed of 
God, in the conversion of sinners, and the edification of the 
Church. During his ministry, large accessions have been made 
to their number, and the Church is now flourishing under his 
administration. They own a very neat and commodious house 
of worship, about three miles from Newport, erected soon after 
the constitution of the Church. 

The Church in Portsmouth was constituted October ICth, 1834. 
Its first Pastor was the Rev. Zalmon Tobey. His ministry 
commenced with this people, in April, 1834, and continued for 
two jeais; during which time, six members were added to the 
Church. 

His successor in the pastoral office of this Church, was the 
Rev. John Taylor. He commenced his labors with them on 
the first day of June, A. D. 1837, and still continues his pasto- 
ral charge. Mr. Taylor's labors have been blessed in this Church, 
and during his ministry more than thirty have been added to 
their number. The house in which they worship, was erected 
in 1821, by voluntary subscription, and is called the ** Union 
Meeting-House." It is pleasantly situated on a beautiful emi- 
nence, in Portsmouth, on the East main road, about half way 
from Newport to the Stone Bridge which connects the Island 
with the main land, at Tiverton. 



apim:M)IX 157 

rVom tilis brier and impeifwct sketch of the liistorr of Zion, on 
this Island of ihe sea, wo cannot but feel that a lasting tribute of 
gratitude and praise belongs to the Great Fathcj: of our being, for 
the contyued exercise of his faithfulness and love, in perpetuating 
the exis'.ence and prosperity of the Church, in this town. There 
has been, and doubtless now is, much in the Church, both in prin- 
ciple and practice, displeasing to God, and hostile to the true dig- 
nity and glory of the Churcli. Yet under his gracious smiles, and 
the broad, expansive principles of Christian benevolence and liber- 
ality of sentiment here enjoyed, lier prosperity has been such as to 
coU for devout acknowledgments to iIk; Great Author of all good, 
from every pious heart. 

It is not among the least distinguislied blessings wliich demand 
a song of praise, that the same noble and elevated sentiments, the 
same dignified and exalted spirit which inspired the heart of that 
little band of lonely pilgrims, who here unfurled the banner of re- 
ligious freedom two hundred years ago, still glows in the bosom 
and can be traced in the history of their sons. One hundred years 
ago this day, from the walls of Zion in this place, the beloved 
Calender proclaims, " That the Bible contains the religion of 
Christians, and that the Word of God is a sufficient rule of faith and 
worship." That " every man's opinions must be taken from his 
own understanding and judgment, and not from the understanding 
and judgment of other men." And such it is believed are the sen- 
timents of this intelligent and enlightened religious community, to- 
day. We claim, as our birth-right, the most entire freedom of 
thought and expression, on every question of religion and con- 
science ; and this right belongs to all ; to the most ignorant, as well 
as the most intelligent disciple of Jesus Christ. 

But if with all these advantages for becoming extensively ac- 
quainted with the Holy Scriptures, of knowing the will of God, 
and of becoming deeply and eminently pious, we neglect the sacred 
volume, and become insensible to the high responsibilities of our 
trust, we shall have reason to fear the displeasure of that Divine 
Being, to whom we are indebted for all our prosperity, and without 
whose blessing, none can hope to prosper. 

In a community like ours, where each individual enjoys the 
right of searching the scriptures for himself, and adopting his own 
mode of religious worship, it is impossible but that (through the 
imperfection of human judgment) a diversity of opinions in matters 
of conscience, should be entertained. Uniformity in the circntn- 

14 



158 APPENDIX. 

stanlials of religionj is in no respect, the genius of a free and popu- 
lar form of government. And altliough all the true disciples ol" 
Jesus perfectly harmonize in the great principles of salvation, yet 
each denomination of Christians is marked by some peculiarity 
whicli distinguishes it from another; and perhaps no two denomi- 
nations can be found, whose forma or modes of worship are exactly 
and in all respects, alike. It becomes us, therefore, as the disci- 
ples of Jesus, to cultivate a spirit of mutual concession and forbear- 
ance. Let us cherish an unwillingness to contend about trifles : 
and where differences are unavoidable, let us never be betrayed into 
unjust and uncharitable censures of each other, but in the spirit of 
meekness, unitedly implore the divine forgiveness, and that God 
would hasten onward the day when the watchmen shall see eye 
to eye; when the Church of Christ shall put on the garments o! 
her majesty and glory, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God 

-^ "■ Thus shall we best proclaim abroad, 

The honors of our Saviour God ; 
When his salvation reigns within, 
And grace subdues the power of 5in." 

AMf:x 



i| 



INDEX. 



Paf 



Andros Sir Ednuind, 
American property destro} cd 

at Bristol, Warren, and 

Tiverton, 
American army occupy R 

Island, 



retreat to 



49 



54 



the North end of R. 1. 
Americans retreat from the 

Island, 57 

Admiral de Tcrnay, 60 

D'Barras. 61 

American Revolution, 21 
Approp'ns for pub. schools 

by General Assembly, 1829, 98 

Asiatic Cholera introduced, 99 

Arnold Gen. 40 
Appendix, 117 to 158 

British vessels attacked 43 
British fleet enters Newport, 

Dec. 1776, 44 
evacuate the Island, 

1779, 50 
burn many liouses 

near Newport, " 51 
privateer Dart cap- 
tured, 1813, 87 
and French Ocetii 

damaged by storm, 52 

— brig Nimrod, 88 

Barton Col. W. his capture 

ofPrescott, 45 

Bull Henry, 9 

Hurgoyno's surrender, 48 

British frigates run ashore, 50 
i^abcock Geo. W. exploits 

of 65 

Cuddington Willinm., 7 



Claike John, one of tlie firat 

settlers, 
his services in 

procuring the Charter, 
Canozjicus, 
Calender Mr. his century 

sermon, 

offices held 



Page 



14 



by him — his death, 8 

Coggeshall John, 7 

Crosson Wm. a refugee, bic 

exploits, 51 

Colonies taxed by Great 

Britain, 22 

their struggles 

for freedom, 22 

Count D'Estaing arrives at 
Newport 1778, 50 

D'Rochambeau, 61 

Cotton manufactures in R. 

Island, 77 

Captures of British shipping, 89 
Colored Union Church and 

Society, Newport, 150 

Christian Churches, Middle- 
town and Portsmouth, 156 
Charter of Rhode-Island, 6 

Dennis John, 17 

Disfranchisement of the first 

settlers, 7 

Distinguished men of New- 
port! 31 to 36 



Debts ofR. Island, 1786, 
Easton Nicholas, 
Expedition against (iucbet 

1775, 
Embargo, its effects on 

Newport, 



74 

39 

87 




160 



INDEX. 



Free Scliools in Newport, 

French fleet arrives at New- 
port, 1778, 

— expedition against 

New-England, 

fleet return to New- 
port, 1780, 

Freemen of Newport meet in 
other towns. 

First Cong. Church, Newp. 

French and Indian War, 
1758, 

its 

termination 1763, 

First Bap. Chur. in New- 
port, address to 



Page 
96 

50 

16 



50 



59 
143 



18 



19 



112 



its history, 119 

Fourth Bap. Church, Newp. 146 
Gaspee destroyed 1772, 25 

Green General, 89 

Great storm, Sept. 23, 1815, 92 
Gouldsborough, a refugee, 

cruel murder by 
Gen. Washington arrives at 

Newport, 1781, 
Gardiner John, 
General Convention meet in 

Philadelphia, 1787, 
Great imperfection of Amer- 
ican machinery, in 1790, 
Hostilities between the xAmer 

icans and British on R. I. 
Hopkins Stephen, 

Dr. Samuel, 

Handy Major John, 
Hunter William, 
Introductory Remarks, 
Inscription on John Coggc- 

shall's tomb-stone, 
Jews in Newport, 

their Synagogue, 

their settlement in 

Newport, 
Lopez Aaron, 
Lee Gen. 
Louisburgh, expedition 

against 16 

Montgomery, Gen. his death, 40 
Marquis de La Fayette visits 

the French fleet; 54 

Milifia return home. o4 



8 
29 
30 

136 
29 
39 



Page 
Myantonomo, 6 

M'Sparran Dr. 12 

Macedonian frigate brought 

into Newport, Dec. 1812. 86 
Mather Dr. Ill 
Methodist Church, Newport, 148 
Manufactures in Providence, 85 
their early dis- 
couragements, S3 

their complete 

triumph, 84 

Moravians or United 

Brethren, 145 

Newport, its condition in 

1745, 18 

great prosperity 

in 1773, 28 

, care of her records, 86 

Asylum, 94 

Ass. of Mechan. <^^c. 99 

, her claims to the 

Newtown lands, 96 
, its condition im- 
proving, 101 

men furnished by, 

during the war, 62 

naval commanders, 62 

incorporated as a 

city, 1784, 69 

returns to a town 

government, 1787, 69 

Narragansett Indians, 101 

News of peace received at 

Newport, 89 

Preface, 3 

Pocasset, lirst town laid out, 7 
Peace concluded between 

France and England 1748, 17 
Privateering from Rhode- 
Island, 1745, 17 
Packwood Capt. attack on 24 
Prescott Gen. anecdotes of 41 
Parker Sir Peter, 44 
Party contests from 1758 to 

1767, 19 

Population of Newport in 

1782, 67 
Providence causes of its in- 
crease, 68 
Paper money in R. Island, 72 
its great depre- 
ciation in 1789. 75 



M)i':x. 



161 



Page 
Public schools in I'rovidfiice, yS 
Perry Capt. O. U. 80 

, his death, UO 

, funeral, 91 

Presidents Message of ISl'i, 

ex tract;" from, h7 

Power lo-om, first constructed 

in 1815, 84 

Priestly dominion, 101 

Quakers in Rhode-Island, 12 

four hanged in 

Massachusetts, 13 

Religious toleration in Rhode- 
Island, 11 
Rhode-Island — her claims 

of territory, 15 

Hist. Society, i)5 

, settled for 

conscience sake, 103 

why so named, 7 

refuses to adopt 

the U. S. Constitution, 71 

Roman Catholic Church, 

Newport, 151 

Resolutions passed in New- 
port, 1774, 25 
Revolutionary war commen- 
ces 1775, 37 
Read Capt. Oliver, exploits 

of 62 

Regard for property by the 

French at Newport, 01 

Review of the past, 101 

of the History of 

the Churches, 157 

Shipping removed from 

Newport, 88 

Surrender of Lord Cornwallis,Cl 
Second Baptist Church, 

Newport, 128 

Society of Friends, Nevvp't, 131 
Sabbatarian or Seventh day 

Baptist Church, 134 

Second Episcopal Parisli, 

Newport, 153 

Slavery abolished in R. I. 

1787, 77 



Slater Sauniel. 



• establishes the 

first S. school in N. Eng- 
land,- " f^2 

Sabbath schools — their bles- 
sed eilects, g^ 

Sloop Liberly, first British 

vessel destroyed, 23 

Spencer Gen Jiis expedition 
against R. Island, 4/ 

Secret correspondence 

maintained, 48 

ritamp Act, 22 

Skirmish on Rhode-Island, 55 

Spirited m(.'asures taken in 
Newport, (50 

Troops raised in Newport. 37 

Town records, «&c. of New 
port carried off by the 
British, 58 

The town greatly damaged 
by the British and sufferings 
of the inhabitants, 59 to C7 

Tax voted to relieve the poor 



of Newport, 
Tea destroyed in Boston, 

1773, ' 
Touro Abraham, 
Trinity Church, Newport, 
Triumph of Rhode-Island 

sentiments. 
Unitarian Cong. Church, 

Newport, 
Ward Samuel, 
Williams Roger, 
his services 

in procuring the Charter, 
Waterhouse Dr. Benj. 
War declared against Eng- 
land, 1812, 
Wallace Admiral, 
his treaty 

with Newport, 



his attack 



on Bristol, &c. 

driven from 



Newport, 



59 

25 

30 

138 

105 

155 
19 

6 

10 

28 

85 
37 

38 

38 

42 



3477-3 



